BWC Budget Bill Affects Medical Payments
Payment After Denial
H.B. 123, the BWC budget bill, amends R.C. §4123.512 to provide for payment of medical or vocational bills submitted after the denial of a claim, so long as
- they were approved and made in good faith before the denial;
- they were services which could have been paid under R.C. §4123.511(I) before the denial; and
- the request for payment is timely submitted.
This provision only applies to claims which arise on or after the budget bill’s effective date of July, 29, 2011.
Time Limit to Submit Bill
The BWC budget bill also amends R.C. §4123.52 and changes the time limit for filing for payment of medical or vocational services. Under the amendments, a request for payment of medical or vocational services must be filed within the latter of one year after the date the services “were rendered or . . . became payable under [R.C. §4123.511 (I)].”
It is unclear whether this provision will apply to payment of all bills after the effective date of the statute (July 29,2011), or whether the provision applies only to bills in claims which arise on or after the date the budget bill becomes effective.