Oregon Doctors Win Workers Compensation Billing Dispute

Oregon doctors have won a major dispute with insurance companies over worker compensation billing.

The state Workers Compensation Division has issued a permanent rule forbidding insurers from unilaterally taking discounts on medical bills unless the provider agrees.

The new rule replaces a temporary rule that would have allowed the discounts, a rule that caused an uproar in the state medical community when it was implemented in July.

Ron Bowman is a Tigard orthopedic surgeon and chairman of the medical advisory committee for the state Worker Compensation Division.

He was among the doctors leading the charge against the temporary rule, which caused widespread dissatisfaction and even threats to refuse to see patients.

Worker compensation administrator John Shilts said next time, the agency will get everybody to agree before a new rule is implemented.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com