Sec. 408.025.  REPORTS AND RECORDS REQUIRED FROM HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.  (a)  The commissioner by rule shall adopt requirements for reports and records that are required to be filed with the division or provided to the injured employee, the employee's attorney, or the insurance carrier by a health care provider.
(a-1)  A treating doctor may delegate to a physician assistant who is licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 204, Occupations Code, or an advanced practice registered nurse who is licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 301, Occupations Code, the authority to complete and sign a work status report regarding an injured employee's ability to return to work.  The delegating treating doctor is responsible for the acts of the physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse under this subsection.
(b)  The commissioner by rule shall adopt requirements for reports and records that are to be made available by a health care provider to another health care provider to prevent unnecessary duplication of tests and examinations.
(c)  The treating doctor is responsible for maintaining efficient utilization of health care.
(d)  On the request of an injured employee, the employee's attorney, or the insurance carrier, a health care provider shall furnish records relating to treatment or hospitalization for which compensation is being sought.  The division may regulate the charge for furnishing a report or record, but the charge may not be less than the fair and reasonable charge for furnishing the report or record.  A health care provider may disclose to the insurance carrier of an affected employer records relating to the diagnosis or treatment of the injured employee without the authorization of the injured employee to determine the amount of payment or the entitlement to payment.
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1426, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 (H.B. 7), Sec. 3.086, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 483 (H.B. 2546), Sec. 1, eff. June 9, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 723 (H.B. 387), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2019.