1. (a) Physicians performing IREs shall:

   1. (1) Be licensed in this Commonwealth and certified by an American Board of Medical Specialties-approved board or its osteopathic equivalent.
   2. (2) Be active in clinical practice at least 20 hours per week.
2. (b) For purposes of this subchapter, the phrase ‘‘active in clinical practice’’ means the act of providing preventive care and the evaluation, treatment and management of medical conditions of patients on an ongoing basis.
3. (c) Physicians chosen by employees to perform IREs, for purposes of appealing a previous adjustment of benefit status, shall possess the qualifications in subsection (a) and shall be active in clinical practice as specified in subsection (b).

4. (d) In addition to the requirements of subsections (a) and (b), physicians designated by the Department to perform IREs shall meet training and certification requirements which may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

   1. (1) Required attendance at a Departmentally approved training course on the performance of evaluations under the American Medical Association ‘‘Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment,’’ 6th edition (second printing April 2009).
   2. (2) Certification upon passage of a Departmentally approved examination on the American Medical Association ‘‘Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment,’’ 6th edition (second printing April 2009).
   3. (3) Other requirements as approved by the Department.

Authority

The provisions of this § 123.103 amended under sections 401.1 and 435(a) of the Workers’ Compensation Act (77 P.S. § § 710 and 991(a)); and section 2205 of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P.S. § 565).

Source

The provisions of this § 123.103 amended January 24, 2025, effective January 25, 2025, 55 Pa.B. 719. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (318298) and (347713).

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 123.105 (relating to impairment rating determination).