Section 81.01. Purpose and application.

 

(1)   Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish guidelines for necessary and appropriate treatment of patients with compensable worker's compensation injuries under s. 102.16 (2m) , Stats., and s. DWD 80.73 .

(b) The guidelines contained in this chapter are factors for an impartial health care services review organization and a member from an independent panel of experts established by the department to consider in rendering opinions to resolve necessity of treatment disputes arising under s. 102.16 (2m) , Stats., and s. DWD 80.73 .

(c) Sections DWD 81.01 to 81.13 do not affect any determination of liability for an injury under ch. 102 , Stats. , and are not intended to expand or restrict a health care provider's scope of practice under any other statute.

(2)   Application. All treatment shall be medically necessary as defined in s. DWD 81.03 (10) . In the absence of a specific guideline any applicable general guidelines govern. A departure from a guideline that limits the duration or type of treatment may be appropriate in any of the circumstances specified in s. DWD 81.04 (5) . All limitations on the duration of a specific treatment modality or type of modality begin with the first time the modality is initiated after November 1, 2007. This chapter does not apply to treatment of an injury after an insurer has denied liability for the injury, except in cases in which the guidelines apply to treatment initiated after liability has been established.