51-9-10. Medical bills, reports, and treatment. (a) Upon the completion of treatment in all compensation cases, physicians shall promptly notify the employer or carrier, and shall render their final bills forthwith. Bills for medical care providers and hospitals shall be itemized showing the date and the charge for services rendered. Separate bills should be presented to the employer or carrier by each surgeon, assistant, anesthetist, consultant, hospital, or nurse. In cases requiring prolonged treatment, physicians should submit partial bills, fully itemized, at intervals of at least 60 days.
(b)(1) Medical reports of the physician should be submitted on a periodic basis depending upon the nature and severity of the injuries involved and, in all cases, immediately upon request of the respondent or insurance carrier. A report shall be rendered on the date on which the physician releases the worker to return to work and forwarded to the employer or insurance carrier and to the employee, if requested.
(2) In cases of amputation, the physician shall mark the exact point of amputation on a diagram showing the member involved.
(3) The patient privilege preventing the furnishing of medical information by doctors and hospitals is waived by a worker seeking workers compensation benefits, and all reports, records, or other data concerning examinations or treatment shall be furnished to the employer or insurance carrier or the director at that individual's request without the necessity of a release by the worker.
(4) Unreasonable refusal by the worker to cooperate with the employer or insurance carrier or the director by failing to furnish medical information releases for the worker's medical history may result in compensation being denied or terminated after hearing before the director.
(5) The employee shall immediately be furnished a copy of any medical report that authorizes return to work.
(c) Nurses, whether registered or practical, shall be furnished in an institution or the worker's home when the treating doctor recommends this nursing care. Nursing service by a member of the worker's family shall be provided if approved in advance by the treating physician. (Authorized by K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 44-510, as amended by L. 1997, Ch. 125, Sec. 4 and K.S.A. 44-573; effective Jan. 1, 1966; amended Jan. 1, 1969; amended Jan. 1, 1971; amended Jan. 1, 1973; amended, E-74-31, July 1, 1974; amended May 1, 1975; amended, E-76-23, May 30, 1975; amended Feb. 15, 1977; amended May 1, 1978; amended May 22, 1998.)
|
