Section R20-5-117. Medical, Surgical, Hospital, and Burial Expenses

A.      A carrier, self-insured employer, or special fund division, shall pay bills for medical, surgical, and hospital benefits provided under A.R.S. § 23-901 et seq. according to applicable medical and surgical fee schedules adopted by the Commission and in effect at the time the services are rendered. A physician or pro- vider of nursing, hospital, drug or other medical services shall itemize and submit a bill for payment only to the responsible carrier, self-insured employer, or special fund division.

B.       A claimant shall not be responsible to pay any disputed amounts between the medical provider and the carrier, self- insured employer, or special fund division.

C.      If a claimant pays a bill described in subsection (A), the responsible carrier, self-insured employer, or special fund divi- sion shall reimburse the claimant the amount allowed by the fee schedules, provided that the claimant presents receipted vouchers or other proof of payment to support the claim for reimbursement.

D.      If an insured employer pays a bill described in subsection (A), the responsible carrier or self-insured employer shall reim- burse the employer the amount allowed by the fee schedules, provided that the employer presents receipted vouchers or other proof of payment to support the claim for reimburse- ment.

E.       An insurance carrier, self-insured employer, or special fund division may pay any authorized burial expenses directly to the funeral service professional.

F.       If an employee’s dependent pays burial expenses, the responsi- ble carrier, self-insured employer, or special fund  division shall  reimburse  the   dependent  the  amount  authorized   by

A.R.S. § 23-1046 provided that the dependent presents proof of payment to support the claim for reimbursement.

G.      If an insured employer pays burial expenses, the responsible carrier or self-insured employer shall reimburse the employer to the extent authorized by A.R.S. § 23-1046 provided that the employer presents proof of payment to support the claim for reimbursement.

Historical Note

Former Rule 17. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed

February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-117 recodified from R4-13-117 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effec-

tive August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3).