A referral to another physician or to a specialist is not considered a change of doctor. The Commission may require an employee to submit to a medical examination to determine the appropriateness of the treatment, the degree of impairment caused by the injury, the level of improvement, or other similar reasons. The employer's insurance carrier also may request that an employee submit to a medical examination at the expense of the insurance carrier for reasons similar to those stated above. If an employee refuses without good cause to submit to a required examination, benefits may be jeopardized. Workers' compensation benefits are not considered taxable income.
Benefits are, however, subject to withholding of child support payments.
The Texas Workers' Compensation Commission will attempt to remedy the problem through an informal resolution process, called a benefit review conference. If the parties cannot settle the dispute during the benefit review conference, then a second proceeding will be necessary. The second proceeding may be a contested hearing or an arbitration hearing. A contested hearing is held before a hearing officer. A contested arbitration is held before an Arbitration Board Judge.