Utilization Reviews Must Be Done by Same Type of Doctor, New Law Says

Several new workers' compensation laws took effect in Texas this week, including one that tightens restrictions on who can provide utilization reviews. Senate Bill 1742 now requires that utilization reviews of physician services for injured workers must be done by licensed physicians, not nurses or others in the medical profession. Not only that, if a specialty physician orders a procedure, a doctor in the same specialty must provide the review. The law was passed in May and signed by the governor in June to address concerns from regulators and Texas physicians that some reviews weren...