Chapter 5. INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION OF ARIZONA

A. A health care provider shall not charge more than $.25 per page plus $10 per hour in associated clerical costs for reproduction of medical information when a party, an authorized representative of a party, or an entity that is authorized by a claimant in a workers’ compensatio…

A. The Commission deems a carrier or workers’ compensation pool the agent of an employer insured by the carrier or workers’ compensation pool. B. The Commission also deems any action or determination taken or made by the carrier or workers’ compensation pool binding upon the empl…

A. Except as provided in subsection (B), each carrier that has or is underwriting workers’ compensation insurance in Arizona, and each employer and workers’ compensation pool that has been granted authority to act as a self-insurer by the Commission, shall maintain a workers’ com…

A. A carrier and self-insured employer shall maintain a workers’ compensation claims file for each claimant. A carrier and self-insured employer shall include in a workers’ compensation claims file all employer’s reports, medical and hospital reports, awards, orders, notices of c…

A. For purposes of A.R.S. § 23-930, an employer, self-insured employer, carrier, or claims processing representative commits “bad faith” if the employer, self-insured employer, carrier, or claims processing representative: 1. Institutes a proceeding or interposes a defense that i…

A. An employer subject to the Act shall notify its employees of the requirements of A.R.S. §§ 23-1043.02, 23-1043.03, and 23-1043.04 by posting the Commission notices titled “Work Exposure to Bodily Fluids” and “Work Exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA),…

Historical Note Former Rule 30. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-130 recodified from R4-13-130 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-130 renum…

A. The Industrial Commission of Arizona (Commission) has adopted the Work Loss Data Institute’s Official Disability Guidelines – Treatment in Workers Compensation (ODG) as the standard reference for evidence-based medicine used in treating injured workers within the context of Ar…

In this Article and R20-5-106(A)(12), unless the context otherwise requires: “Act” means the Arizona Workers’ Compensation Act, A.R.S. Title 23, Chapter 6. “Active Practice” means performing patient care for a minimum of eight hours per week in one of the five preceding years. “A…

A. No preauthorization is required under the Act to ensure payment for reasonably required medical treatment or services. While preauthorization is not required under the Act, a provider may seek preauthorization as provided in this subsection. B. A provider shall submit a reques…

A. A payer shall not deny a request for preauthorization solely because the guidelines do not address the requested treatment or services. B. A payer shall not deny a request for preauthorization that is supported by the guidelines, unless the payer can rebut the presumption of r…

A. A payer shall not deny payment for provided treatment or services solely because the guidelines do not address the requested treatment or services. B. A payer shall not deny payment for provided treatment or services supported by the guidelines, unless the payer can rebut the …

A payer may reverse its decision to deny treatment or services at any time throughout the process described in this Article. In this situation, the payer’s subsequent authorization or agreement to pay for the treatment or services at issue shall end this process. Historical Note …

A payer may issue a decision approving or denying a request for preauthorization in whole, or in part. Historical Note New Section made by final rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 1730, effective October 1, 2016 (Supp. 16-2).

A payer’s failure to comply with the required time limits of this process may be considered unreasonable delay under R20-5-163. Historical Note New Section made by final rulemaking at 22 A.A.R. 1730, effective October 1, 2016 (Supp. 16-2).

A. Except as provided in subsections (C) or (D), a payer shall communicate to the provider its decision on a request for preauthorization no later than 7 business days after the request is received. The decision shall be issued in writing using Section II (Payer Decision on Reque…

Historical Note Former Rule 31. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-131 recodified from R4-13-131 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-131 renum…

A. Except as provided in subsection (C), a payer shall communicate to the provider its decision on a request for reconsideration no later than 7 business days after the request is received. This decision shall be issued in writing using Section IV (Payer Decision on Request for R…

A. Absent further action of the Commission under R20-5-1301(C), administrative review under this Article is available for requests for medical treatment or services related to all body parts and conditions. B. A request for administrative review shall be in writing using Section …

A. A referral of a request for hearing under R20-5-1311(L) shall be processed as provided for in the Act unless all parties agree to participate in the fast track process. B. The following applies only to the Fast Track ALJ Dispute Resolution Program: 1. Parties must agree to par…

Historical Note Former Rule 32. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-132 recodified from R4-13-132 (Supp. 95-1). Section R20-5-132 renumbered to R20-5-235 by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 4199 (October 31, 2025), effective December 6, 2025 …

Historical Note Former Rule 36. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-136 recodified from R4-13-136 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section expired under A…

Historical Note Former Rule 37. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-137 recodified from R4-13-137 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-137 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 38. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-138 recodified from R4-13-138 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-138 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 39. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-139 recodified from R4-13-139 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-139 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 40. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-140 recodified from R4-13-140 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-140 renum…

A. This Article applies to reimbursement claims submitted to the Municipal Firefighter Cancer Reimbursement Fund under Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”), Title 23, Chapter 11, and firefighter and fire investigator cancer claim reporting under A.R.S. § 23-971. B. The definitions…

A. A Municipal Payor seeking reimbursement from the Fund shall submit a reimbursement claim in writing on the Municipal Firefighter Cancer Reimbursement Form approved by the Commission. B. The Municipal Firefighter Cancer Reimbursement Form shall include the following attestation…

A. Municipal Payors seeking reimbursement from the Fund shall maintain all records supporting amounts included in a reimbursement claim for at least ten years after the reimbursement claim is filed. B. Municipal Payor records supporting amounts included in a reimbursement claim s…

A. A Municipal Payor that discovers an error in a reimbursement claim which may result or has resulted in an overpayment from the Fund shall notify the Commission of the error within three business days of discovery of the error. B. Overpayments made by the Fund to Municipal Payo…

A. Cancer-related claim reporting under A.R.S. § 23-971 and this Article shall be performed electronically through the commission’s electronic claims portal. Insurance carriers, self-insured employers, self-insurance pools, or a designee (including third-party administrators or a…

A. Name of Data Provider (i.e., What entity is reporting the data?): The name of the insurance carrier, self-insured employer, self-insurance pool, or designee submitting the cancer-related claim data. B. Data Provider Type Code: Insurance Carrier; Self-Insured Employer; Self-Ins…

A. Unique Claim Identifier: The unique, alphanumeric claim identifier (up to 20 characters, but no less than seven characters) assigned by the carrier, self-insured employer, or self-insurance pool to a specific claim. The claim identifier shall remain the same throughout the lif…

Historical Note Former Rule 41. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-141 recodified from R4-13-141 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-141 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 42. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-142 recodified from R4-13-142 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-142 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 43. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-143 recodified from R4-13-143 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-143 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 44. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-144 recodified from R4-13-144 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-144 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 45. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-145 recodified from R4-13-145 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-145 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 48. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-148 recodified from R4-13-148 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-148 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 49. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-149 recodified from R4-13-149 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-149 renum…

Historical Note Former Rule 50. Amended effective March 1, 1987, filed February 26, 1987 (Supp. 87-1). R20-5-150 recodified from R4-13-150 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 3966 and 7 A.A.R. 4995, effective August 17, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Section R20-5-150 renum…

In addition to the definitions provided in A.R.S. § 23-901, the following definitions apply to this Article: 1. “Act” means the Arizona Workers’ Compensation Act, A.R.S. § 23-901 et seq. 2. “Administrator” means an individual or organization designated by a Self-Insurance Pool Bo…

A. In computing any time period prescribed or allowed by this Article, the day of the event from which the time period begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the period computed shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which event …

The following forms, available at http://www.azica.gov and upon request from the Division, shall be used when applicable: 1. Initial Application for Authority to Self-Insure Form, 2. Self-Insurance Renewal Application Form, 3. New Pool Member Application Form, 4. Workers’ Compens…

A. A Public Entity may file an application for authority to self-insure if: 1. The Public Entity’s annual payroll is at least $2 million; and 2. The Public Entity’s total assets are at least $25 million. B. An individual employer that is not a Public Entity may file an applicatio…

A. An individual employer or pool seeking to apply for initial authority to self-insure shall file with the Division a completed Initial Application for Authority to Self-Insure Form and the documentation and information required in subsection (B). B. For an initial application t…

A. A Self-Insurer seeking to apply for renewal of authority to self-insure shall file with the Division a completed Self-Insurance Renewal Application Form and the documentation and information required under subsection (B) on or before the Renewal Date or, if applicable, the dat…