19 Del. Admin. Code § 1341-3.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 1341-3.0 - Health Care Provider Certification

3.1 Section 2322D(a), Chapter 23, Title 19, Delaware Code establishes the minimum certification requirement to be certified as a Health Care Provider:

3.1.1 With regard to the Certification of any hospital facility providing inpatient and/or outpatient services, the person completing and signing the Health Care Provider Application for Certification on behalf of the hospital shall have the authority to do so and must attest to and be responsible for the completion of all of the requirements set forth on the Health Care Provider Application for Certification.

3.1.2 Services provided by an emergency department of a hospital shall not be subject to the requirement of Certification.

3.1.3 The provisions of Section 3.0 of this regulation shall apply to all treatment of workers provided after the effective date of these rules and regulations regardless of the date of injury.

3.1.4 In accordance with the provisions of 19 Del.C. § 2322D, certification is required for a health care provider to provide treatment to a worker, pursuant to Delaware's Workers' Compensation Statute, without the requirement that the health care provider first pre-authorize each health care procedure, office visit or health care service to be provided to the employee with the employer if self-insured, or the employer's insurance carrier. Pursuant to 19 Del.C. § 2322B and F, for purposes of the Certification requirements of §2322D, "health care provider in an inpatient hospital setting" specifically includes physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists providing treatment to an injured worker during the worker's period of inpatient hospitalization; all other personnel employed by a hospital providing treatment to an injured worker during the worker's period of inpatient hospitalization are excluded from the Certification requirements of subsection 3.1.4 of this regulation. With regard to any hospital facility providing inpatient and/or outpatient services, to be Certified in accordance with the provisions of §2322D so that pre-authorization from the employer or insurance carrier for the employer is not required for each health care procedure, office visit or health care service provided to an injured worker, the person completing and signing the Health Care Provider Application for Certification on behalf of the hospital shall have the authority to do so and must attest to and be responsible for the completion of all of the requirements set forth on such Application. Services provided by an emergency department of a hospital shall not be subject to the requirement of Certification. The provisions of) §2322D shall apply to all treatments to workers provided after the effective date of the rule/regulation provided by subsection 3.1.4 of this regulation and regardless of the date of injury. A health care provider shall be certified only upon meeting the following minimum certification requirements:

3.1.4.1 Have a current license to practice, as applicable;

3.1.4.2 Meet other general certification requirements for the specific provider type;

3.1.4.3 Possess a current and valid Drug Enforcement Agency ("DEA") registration, unless not required by the provider's discipline and scope of practice;

3.1.4.4 Have no previous involuntary termination from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or the Delaware workers' compensation system. Any such involuntary termination shall be considered to be inconsistent with certification;

3.1.4.5 Have no felony convictions in any jurisdiction, under a federal-controlled substance act or for an act involving dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation. A felony conviction in any jurisdiction under a federal-controlled substance act or for an act involving dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation shall be considered to be inconsistent with certification;

3.1.4.6 Provide proof of adequate, current professional malpractice and liability insurance.

3.1.5 In addition to the above, the health care provider to be certified must agree to the terms and conditions set forth on the Health Care Provider Application for Certification, as follows:

3.1.5.1 Comply with Delaware workers' compensation laws and rules;

3.1.5.2 Maintain acceptable malpractice coverage;

3.1.5.3 Complete state-approved continuing education courses in workers' compensation every 2 years from the last date the health care provider renewed his or her Delaware professional license. Out of state health care providers, who are not licensed in Delaware, must complete State-approved continuing education courses in workers' compensation every 2 years from the date of the out of state provider's initial certification. A listing of continuing education courses in workers' compensation care approved by the State of Delaware, Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation, will be posted on the Office of Workers' Compensation website. To maintain certification, the health care provider must provide written notification to the Office of Workers' Compensation of compliance with the continuing education course requirement noted above, setting forth the name of the course completed and the date of completion, in accordance with the above;

3.1.5.4 Practice in a best-practices environment, complying with practice guidelines and Utilization Review Accreditation Council ("URAC") utilization review determinations;

3.1.5.5 Agree to bill only for services and items performed or provided, and medically necessary, cost-effective and related to the claim or allowed condition;

3.1.5.6 Agree to inform an employee of his or her liability for payment of non-covered services prior to delivery;

3.1.5.7 Accept reimbursement for and not unbundle charges into separate procedure codes when a single procedure code is more appropriate;

3.1.5.8 Agree not to balance bill any employee or employer. Employees shall not be required to contribute a co-payment or meet any deductibles;

3.1.5.9 Agree to have knowledge of all statements authorized under the certified health care provider's signature and to be responsible for the content of all bills submitted pursuant to the provisions of 19 Del.C. §§ 2322B, C, E, F;

3.1.5.10 Agree to provide written notification to the Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation, State of Delaware, of any relevant changes to the requirements set forth in the Certification Form within 30 days of the health care provider's knowledge or receipt of notice of any and all such changes.

3.1.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of §2322D of Chapter 23, Title 19, Delaware Code, any health care provider may provide services during one office visit, or other single instance of treatment, without first having obtained prior authorization from the employer if self-insured, or the employer's insurance carrier, and receive reimbursement for reasonable and necessary services directly related to the employee's injury or condition at the health care provider's usual and customary fee, or the maximum allowable fee pursuant to fee schedule adopted pursuant to Section 2322B of Chapter 23, Title 19, Delaware Code whichever is less.

3.1.7 The allowance of reimbursement for the employee's first contact with any health care provider for treatment of the injury as described in subsection 3.1.4 is further limited to instances when the health care provider believes in good faith, that the injury or occupational disease was suffered in the course of the employee's employment.

3.1.8 The provisions of §2322D of Title 19, Delaware Code, shall apply to all treatments to injured employees provided after the effective date of this subsection, and regardless of the date of injury.

3.2 Completed Certification should be mailed to:

State of Delaware Department of Labor

Office of Workers' Compensation

4425 N. Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19802

3.3 Instructions and provisions for completing the Certification Form online will be published on the Office of Workers' Compensation website when available.

19 Del. Admin. Code § 1341-3.0

14 DE Reg. 1375 (06/01/11)
17 DE Reg. 322 (9/1/2013)
18 DE Reg. 577 (1/1/2015)
19 DE Reg. 1102 (6/1/2016)
27 DE Reg. 614 (2/1/2024) (Final)