Authorized Treating Physician Who Provides Primary Care

Temporary total disability or temporary partial disability benefits may be terminated by an insurance carrier without a hearing when certain events occur.  (See Rule 6 (A – C), Division of Workers’ Compensation Rules of Procedure).  The procedure that the insurance carrier must follow to end those benefits depends on the date of the injury.  Some of these rules refer to the “authorized treating physician who has provided the primary case,” a phrase which usually means the doctor who has treated the claimant the most and who is directing most of the care.  In many cases, the insurance company may not end the temporary benefits until the primary doctor has rendered an opinion that the claimant is able to return to his regular job.  (Section 8-42-105(3) C.R.S.; Rule 6 (C), DOWC Rules of Procedure).