Sec. 413.007.  INFORMATION MAINTAINED BY DIVISION.  (a)  The division shall maintain a statewide data base of medical charges, actual payments, and treatment protocols that may be used by:
(1)  the commissioner in adopting the medical policies and fee guidelines; and
(2)  the division in administering the medical policies, fee guidelines, or rules.
(b)  The division shall ensure that the data base:
(1)  contains information necessary to detect practices and patterns in medical charges, actual payments, and treatment protocols;  and
(2)  can be used in a meaningful way to allow the commission to control medical costs as provided by this subtitle.
(c)  The division shall ensure that the data base is available for public access for a reasonable fee established by the commissioner.  The identities of injured workers and beneficiaries may not be disclosed.
(d)  The division shall take appropriate action to be aware of and to maintain the most current information on developments in the treatment and cure of injuries and diseases common in workers' compensation cases.
Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 (H.B. 7), Sec. 3.231, eff. September 1, 2005.