Carriers Want Medical Care Audit to Emphasize Drug Issues

By Bill Kidd, Central Bureau ChiefTexas insurers, doctors and utilization review agents have been given their end-of-the-year homework assignments by Division of Workers' Compensation Medical Adviser Dr. Donald Patrick.And insurers are already hurrying to comply.Patrick (a medical doctor and attorney) has asked for input by Dec. 21 for a plan for auditing utilization review agents, and by Jan. 6 for revising the annual medical quality audit plan for calendar year 2012.Sections 413.0511 and 413.0512 of the Texas Labor Code require the division to review the quality of health care provided i...