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Welcome to the official website for the
Texas Senate
 
Senate Select Interim Committee on Workers' Compensation
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 78th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Todd Staples


MEMBERS
John Carona
Robert Duncan
Craig Estes
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Kyle Janek
Frank L. Madla
Jane Nelson
Royce West

 

CLERK:
Patricia Gajda

TEL:
(512) 463-0067

Written Testimony Submissions and Handouts

October 12, 2004

August 26, 2004

April 29, 2004

March 25, 2004

Submitted Written Testimony

Texas Department of Insurance presentations on group health insurance cost containment and workers' compensation fraud
(TDI did not provide oral testimony)

Additional Information

February 26, 2004

Committee Charge #1:

Committee Charge #6:

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Interim Charges

  • Examine the status of the Health Care Network Advisory Committee's (HNAC) and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission's implementation of the regional workers' compensation health care delivery networks outlined in Article 2 of HB 2600 (77th Legislature, 2001).
  • Study the potential impact of networks on the workers' compensation health care delivery system. Include in the study:
    • Quality of care;
    • Network adequacy and access to care;
    • Disclosure of information to patients, complaint procedures, appeal rights and overall patient satisfaction;
    • Costs of care;
    • Provider credentialing, selection and dispute resolution;
    • Financial risks to providers, employers and carriers;
    • Effects of networks on the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission; and
    • Quality monitoring systems such as independent report cards.
  • Study the impact of the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission's 2002 Medical Fee Guideline on access to quality medical care for injured workers and medical costs, including recommendations on whether the legislature should statutorily prescribe a methodology for calculating the workers' compensation conversion factor.
  • Survey the costs and benefits of other health system cost-containment strategies as they relate to medical, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical care, including but not limited to, doctor selection, deductibles, co-payments, preauthorization of services, and return-to-work programs.
  • Conduct a cost-benefit analysis, to the extent possible, comparing the Texas workers' compensation system to systems operating in other states. Make recommendations to improve the quality of care for injured workers, reduce fraud and inefficiencies, reduce overall claim costs, and streamline the administration of the system. Recommendations should address data exchange, advisory groups and review panels, dispute resolution, enforcement issues, paperwork reduction, and billing and administrative efficiencies.
  • Study the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's workers' compensation system including a comparison of the medical and indemnity costs associated with the Texas A&M University system, the University of Texas system, the Texas Department of Transportation and the State Office of Risk Management. Evaluate the potential costs and benefits associated with state agency participation in workers' compensation networks.