MRO Must Accept Verbal Request for Analysis of Split Specimen

January 1, 2002

Medical Review Officer

Verification Process

Can the MRO require an employee’s split specimen test request to be in writing rather than verbal?

40.171(a) states that the employee’s request may be verbal or in writing. Therefore, the MRO must accept a verbal request.
The MRO may ask the employee for written documentation, but must immediately honor the verbal request.
An MRO should always document whether or not an employee requested to have the split tested.
The MRO must document the date and time of the employee’s request.

Cahill Swift, LLC