Oregon WCD Rulemaking Meetings Set for November 18-19, 2025
The WCD scheduled a public advisory meeting for November 18, 2025, 1:00 – 4:00 PM to address potential changes to medical treatment, billing, and MCO rules. You can find the agenda here. Some of the proposed changes stem from MLAC’s subcommittee on medical treatment issues and issues related to finding additional treating providers to handle workers’ compensation claims and improving the efficiency of a worker’s treatment. A few topics for discussion will include:
- Medical fee increases or creation of new fees;
- Reimbursements for copays/deductibles prior to claim acceptance/denial;
- WRME charges for addendums reports;
- Creating a standard timeframe for all pre-authorization requests;
- Creating a standard timeframe for issuing medically stationary notices;
- Allowing MCO NPs/PAs to provide impairment findings;
- Increasing the period of temporary disability after a worker is enrolled in the MCO;
- Reducing the timeframe for MCOs to review medical treatment issues.
The WCD also has a formal rulemaking meeting set for November 19, 2025, to address proposed rules for claims administration, claim closure, and the retroactive program. You can find the meeting information and summary of issues here. The majority of the rules deal with the claim processing rules (060) and you can find the proposed changes here. A few topics for discussion will include:
- Removing old mandatory appeal language (but keeping the revised updated language);
- Including fluctuating pay rate changes to AWW calculations;
- Excluding one-time bonuses (for moving or relocating) from AWW calculations;
- Clarifying the process for lump-sum requests and payments;
- Allowing a MNOA to be combined with a UNOAC;
- Removing COVID investigation rules and audits.
Given the number of issues being discussed, it is important for the WCD to hear from employers and adjusters on these issues. If you would like to get involved or want to submit information for the upcoming meetings, please let me know. As always, if you have any questions about how these changes can impact your processing obligations, please contact me at 503-595-2130 or at .
Posted by Kevin Anderson.
