Reporting to Third-Party during 5-day Safety Concern Period
January 1, 2018
DER/Employer, Medical Review Officer, Third-Party Administrator
Verification Process
During the verification interview, the MRO may learn about a legally prescribed medication that would likely make the employee medically unqualified or would likely pose a significant safety risk. Section 40.135(e) requires the MRO to tell the employee to have his/her prescribing physician contact the MRO to discuss the MRO’s concern about the medication. If the prescribing physician does not speak with the MRO within 5 business days of the MRO informing the employee to have his/her prescribing physician contact the MRO, the MRO will report the information about the legally prescribed medication to the appropriate third party. Can the MRO report that information to a third party before 5 business days have elapsed?
Answer
- Yes, there could be instances where the MRO would not have to wait the 5 business days to report the information, for example:
- The prescribing physician speaks with the MRO before 5 business days have elapsed and the significant safety risk remains unresolved.
- The employee expressly declines to have his/her prescribing physician speak with the MRO.
- If, during the verification interview, the MRO learns of a medical condition or diagnosis that is likely to result in the employee’s being medically unqualified under a DOT agency regulation (e.g, FAA, FMCSA, USCG), the MRO must report that information under the procedures in § 40.327. The 5-day pause provision in § 40.135(e) is inapplicable