1. (a) The treating doctor is the doctor who is primarily responsible for coordinating the employee's health care for an injury.
2. (b) Except in the case of an emergency, the treating doctor shall approve or recommend all health care rendered to the injured employee. This includes, but is not limited to, referrals to consultants made by the treating doctor. The referral shall be medically reasonable and necessary.
3. (c) The treating doctor shall be responsible for maintaining efficient utilization of health care.
4. (d) The treating doctor shall complete and submit required medical reports as specified in §§133.100-133.103 of this title (relating to Required Medical Reports; Initial Medical Report; Subsequent Medical Report; Specific Medical Reports).

5. (e) The treating doctor shall:

   1. (1) certify when maximum medical improvement (MMI) has been reached, and assign an impairment rating as described in §130.2 of this title (relating to Certification of Maximum Medical Improvement by Treating Doctor); and
   2. (2) complete the report required under §130.1 of this title (relating to Reports of Medical Evaluation: Maximum Medical Improvement and Permanent Impairment).
6. (f) However, if a doctor other than the treating doctor is certifying MMI, the treating doctor shall indicate agreement or disagreement with the certification and evaluation of the certifying doctor as specified in §130.3 of this title (relating to Certification of Maximum Medical Improvement by Doctor Other Than Treating Doctor).
7. (g) The treating doctor shall be responsible for recommending spinal surgery, if medically necessary.

Source Note:The provisions of this §133.3 adopted to be effective July 17, 1991, 16 TexReg 3708.