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Responsibilities
Approved medical specialists (AMS) are senior practising specialists with a sound knowledge of the NSW workers compensation system and workplace-based injury management. AMS are appointed by the Workers Compensation Commission to assess disputes about medical issues for workers compensation claims lodged on or after 1 January 2002.
There are two types of approved medical specialists:
- those who help to resolve disputes about general medical issues regarding the worker's condition, such as cause, treatment options or fitness for employment
- those who help resolve disputes about the evaluation of permanent impairment.
An AMS may decide to:
- consult with the medical practitioner or health care professional who is treating, or has treated, the worker
- call for medical records, including X-rays and results of other tests, and any other information that is considered necessary or desirable to assess the dispute
- request that the worker be medically examined by the approved medical specialist.
After investigating the medical dispute, the AMS will issue a medical assessment certificate. This is the final, binding opinion in disputes about permanent impairment.
In other types of disputes, their opinions (as detailed in the medical assessment certificate) are taken into account by the Arbitrator when mediating between the parties or issuing direction.
Resources
Approved medical specialists are listed on the WorkCover website by name, region and expertise.
- general medical issues
- permanent impairment
There are procedures for referring medical disputes for assessment or review of assessments. These procedures are contained in the Medical Assessments Guidelines (below) and in the rules of the Workers Compensation Commission.
Contact details
WorkCover Workplace Injury Management Branch: (02) 4321 5313
Hotline: 1800 661 111
An AMS may decide to: After investigating the medical dispute, the AMS will issue a medical assessment certificate. This is the final, binding opinion in disputes about permanent impairment. In other types of disputes, their opinions (as detailed in the medical assessment certificate) are taken into account by the Arbitrator when mediating between the parties or issuing direction. Approved medical specialists are listed on the WorkCover website by name, region and expertise. There are procedures for referring medical disputes for assessment or review of assessments. These procedures are contained in the (below) and in the rules of the Workers Compensation Commission. WorkCover Workplace Injury Management Branch: (02) 4321 5313Hotline: 1800 661 111
An AMS may decide to: After investigating the medical dispute, the AMS will issue a medical assessment certificate. This is the final, binding opinion in disputes about permanent impairment. In other types of disputes, their opinions (as detailed in the medical assessment certificate) are taken into account by the Arbitrator when mediating between the parties or issuing direction. Approved medical specialists are listed on the WorkCover website by name, region and expertise. There are procedures for referring medical disputes for assessment or review of assessments. These procedures are contained in the (below) and in the rules of the Workers Compensation Commission. WorkCover Workplace Injury Management Branch: (02) 4321 5313Hotline: 1800 661 111
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