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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N.C. Industrial Commission · 4319 Mail Service Center · Raleigh, NC 27699-4319
Phone:  (919) 807-2500 · Fax:  (919) 715-0282
Internet Address:  http://www.comp.state.nc.us/