Insurers Challenge Proposed Surgical Fee Increase

Higher rates for surgical procedures won't mean better access for injured workers and could result in unnecessary surgeries, a Texas insurance spokesman said. Steve Nichols of the Insurance Council of Texas said that his members are concerned by recommendations by the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC) and Texas Medical Association (TMA) to increase reimbursement for surgical procedures. "The Insurance Council of Texas and its member companies believe the injured employees public counsel's call for medical fee guideline reimbursement rates of at least 155% of Medicare for evaluati...