WCD Schedules Hearing on Permanent COVID Claim Processing Rules

The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division is holding a hearing in January to gather testimony on proposed permanent rules identifying what constitutes a reasonable investigation for COVID-19 claims. Workers’ compensation carriers are required to conduct a reasonable investigation before denying a claim. Temporary rules in effect from Oct. 1 through March 29, 2021, obligate carriers to assess whether the nature of employment resulted in likely exposure to the new coronavirus and whether medical services were required as a result of possible workplace exposure. The temporary rules ...