Kentucky Statutes 342.329 – Division of Ombudsman and Workers’ Compensation Specialist Services — Functions — Ombudsman program — Toll-free telephone access
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
|
Other versions
(1) The Division of Ombudsman and Workers’ Compensation Specialist Services shall be headed by a director appointed by the commissioner with the approval of the Governor, in accordance with KRS § 12.050 and KRS § 342.230. The functions of the division shall include:
(a) Serving as an information source for employees, employers, medical, vocational, and rehabilitation personnel, carriers, and self-insurers;
(b) Responding to inquiries and complaints relative to the workers’ compensation program;
(c) Advising all parties of their rights and obligations under this chapter;
(d) Assisting workers in obtaining medical reports, job descriptions, and other materials pertinent to a claim for benefits and preparing all documents necessary for a claim application; and
(e) Performing other duties as required by the commissioner through administrative regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
(2) The employee, employer, carrier, self-insured administrator, and medical provider shall promptly comply with reasonable information requests from an ombudsman.
(3) The ombudsman program shall be staffed with personnel trained in techniques performed by ombudsmen and who are familiar with medical and vocational rehabilitation principles and knowledgeable about the provisions of this chapter and applicable administrative regulations.
(4) A toll-free telephone number shall be provided throughout the Commonwealth to insure easy access by all parties to the division.
Effective: July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 1818, effective July 15, 2010. — Amended 1996 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 71, effective December 12,
1996. — Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 181, Part 2, sec. 7, effective April 4, 1994.
(a) Serving as an information source for employees, employers, medical, vocational, and rehabilitation personnel, carriers, and self-insurers;
Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 342.329
- Carrier: means any insurer, or legal representative thereof, authorized to insure the liability of employers under this chapter and includes a self-insurer. See Kentucky Statutes 342.0011
- Commissioner: means the commissioner of the Department of Workers' Claims under the direction and supervision of the secretary of the Education and Labor Cabinet. See Kentucky Statutes 342.0011
- Compensation: means all payments made under the provisions of this chapter representing the sum of income benefits and medical and related benefits. See Kentucky Statutes 342.0011
(b) Responding to inquiries and complaints relative to the workers’ compensation program;
(c) Advising all parties of their rights and obligations under this chapter;
(d) Assisting workers in obtaining medical reports, job descriptions, and other materials pertinent to a claim for benefits and preparing all documents necessary for a claim application; and
(e) Performing other duties as required by the commissioner through administrative regulations promulgated by the commissioner.
(2) The employee, employer, carrier, self-insured administrator, and medical provider shall promptly comply with reasonable information requests from an ombudsman.
(3) The ombudsman program shall be staffed with personnel trained in techniques performed by ombudsmen and who are familiar with medical and vocational rehabilitation principles and knowledgeable about the provisions of this chapter and applicable administrative regulations.
(4) A toll-free telephone number shall be provided throughout the Commonwealth to insure easy access by all parties to the division.
Effective: July 15, 2010
History: Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 1818, effective July 15, 2010. — Amended 1996 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 71, effective December 12,
1996. — Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 181, Part 2, sec. 7, effective April 4, 1994.