Michael F. Easley, Governor Buck Lattimore, Chairman |
Bernadine S. Ballance,
Commissioner Thomas J. Bolch, Commissioner Laura K. Mavretic, Commissioner Renée C. Riggsbee, Commissioner Christopher Scott, Commissioner Dianne C. Sellers, Commissioner |
North Carolina
Industrial Commission
MEMORANDUM
TO: Insurance Carriers, Self-Insurers and Third-Party Administrators Processing Workers’ Compensation Medical Bills
FROM: Chairman Buck Lattimore
DATE: October 3, 2001
RE: Timely Payments of Authorized Medical Bills
It has come to the attention of the Industrial Commission that certain insurance carriers, self-insurers, and third-party administrators are failing to pay for authorized medical treatment on a timely basis.
This type of business conduct, through inadvertence or otherwise, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED BY THE COMMISSION.
Please be reminded that, pursuant to N.C.G.S. §97-18(i), a 10% penalty will be added if any bill remains unpaid in excess of sixty (60) days following its approval by the Commission or submission to the payor for calculation and direct payment. Further, repeat offenders are subject to having their privilege to directly calculate their own medical bills pursuant to N.C.G.S. §97-26(g) revoked by the Commission should such delays in paying the medical bills come to the Commission’s attention.
If delinquent accounts are not PAID IMMEDIATELY, Commissioner of Insurance Jim Long will be asked to intervene in these matters to determine whether insurance carriers, self-insurers, or third-party administrators involved in these delays should have their licenses to do business in the State of North Carolina revoked.
Thank you for your immediate cooperation.
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