Sending and Exchanging Pertinent Information

(a) As used in this chapter "pertinent information" means all information relevant to the resolution of the disputed issue or issues to be addressed at the benefit review conference, including but not limited to:

(1) reports regarding the compensable injury;

(2) the injured employee's wage records; and

(3) the injured employee's medical records.

(b) Examples of "pertinent information" are listed on the division's website.

(c) All pertinent information, as described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, not previously exchanged, in the possession of the party requesting a benefit review conference must be sent to the opposing party or parties before the time the request for a benefit review conference is sent to the division.

(d) The opposing party must send all pertinent information in its possession, not previously exchanged, to the requesting party and other parties within 10 working days after receiving a copy of the request for a benefit review conference.

(e) Not later than 14 days before the benefit review conference, or not later than five days before an expedited conference set under §141.1(d)(2) of this title (relating to Requesting and Setting a Benefit Review Conference):

(1) all pertinent information in the parties' possession not previously sent to the division shall be sent to the division; and

(2) all pertinent information in the parties' possession not previously exchanged must be sent to the other parties.

(f) Additional pertinent information that becomes available thereafter shall be brought to the conference in sufficient copies for the division and opposing party or parties.

(g) The benefit review officer may schedule a second conference upon a determination that pertinent information necessary to resolve the dispute has not been submitted or exchanged. No more than two benefit review conferences may be scheduled for each disputed issue.

(h) The division will not retain the pertinent information received for the BRC after the parties:

(1) reach an agreement on the issues;

(2) set unresolved issues for a contested case hearing; or

(3) fail to reschedule a second benefit review conference within at least 90 days after the first benefit review conference.

(i) Effective date. The effective date of this section is October 1, 2010.