Latest Developments

DCMWC Announcement: Final Rulemaking on Medical Benefit Payments 

On June 14, 2018, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation issued a final rule governing the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund's payment of medical benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The final rule adopts modern payment formulas for physicians, hospitals and other providers; codifies the black lung program's current practices for payment of prescription drugs and the submission of medical bills for payment; provides greater clarity about fees paid to providers; and prohibits providers from seeking additional payments from miners for covered services that have been paid by the Trust Fund. The regulations will be effective August 31, 2018. Rules governing payment of professional medical services and outpatient medical services have a delayed application date and will apply to services rendered after November 30, 2019.