STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION RULES OF PROCEDURE
 7 CCR 1101-3

BASIS:  §8-47-107, C.R.S. provides the Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation with authority to adopt proper rules and regulations to govern the proceedings and hearings of the Division, and the discretion to amend said rules.  In addition, §8-42-101 (3) (a) (I) provides that the Director shall adopt said rules regarding medical treatment guidelines.  

PURPOSE:  Revised and updated the terminology, procedures, recommendations, and implementation of Rule 17 - Exhibit 3 (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Medical Treatment Guidelines) and Exhibit 4 (Shoulder Injury Medical Treatment Guidelines).  

The Rule Amendments to Exhibits 3 and 4 addressed the following subjects:

•	The inclusion of medical evidence, which is an accepted approach used to ascertain procedures that are proven effective through scientific studies, provides clinical decision support and a reference tool for medical providers who make recommendations for injured workers.

•	Updated the diagnosis, testing, and treatment procedures for injured workers.

•	Changed formatting, grammatical and wording issues.  

•	Changed the revised exhibits to be more consistent in concepts, organization, and structure to the other Exhibits of Rule 17.

Pursuant to §24-4-103(4)(b), C.R.S., the Director finds that:  1) there is a demonstrated need for these rule amendments; 2) the proper statutory authority exists for this regulation; 3) to the extent practicable, the rule is clearly stated so that its meaning will be understood by any party required to comply with the regulation; 4) the rule does not conflict with other provisions of the law; and 5) the duplicating or overlapping of regulations is explained by the agency proposing the rule.

Effective date of the rule revisions will be November 1, 2008.

Bob Summers						 September 11, 2008
Director						 DATE