TWCC Adopts Controversial Medical Fee Schedule

Last Thursday, the Texas state Workers' Compensation Commission (TWCC) adopted a more restrictive medical payment schedule in an attempt to reduce medical claims. According to the Houston Chronicle, this move was praised by Texas businesses as a way to deal with quickly rising medical expenses. The state's doctors and labor unions however said the action will interfere with the medical care of injured workers. The TWCC voted 4-2 to adopt a fee schedule starting September that will pay doctors at a rate tied into the federal Medicare program. The TWCC cautions on their web site that the r...