| The
Workers’ Compensation Division is part of the Department of Consumer
and Business Services. |
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The
main office is located at:
350 Winter St. NE
PO Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405
Workers'
Compensation field office:
1840 Barnett Rd., Ste C
Medford, OR 97405-8293
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The
Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) administers and enforces Oregon’s workers’ compensation laws. WCD works to ensure that employers provide
coverage for their workers, that workers with occupational injuries or diseases receive their entitled benefits, and that parties are provided with resources
and procedures for fair resolution of disputes. This regulatory responsibility is balanced with fair and consistent policies that encourage a healthy business
climate for companies regulated by the division.
WCD administers several specially-funded reserves designed to benefit employers and workers. Notable
among these is the Workers’ Benefit Fund, which provides incentives to employers in the form
of reduced workers’ compensation and operation costs for employers reemploying injured workers.
Read about the history
of workers’ compensation in Oregon. |
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Administration:
The Administrator’s
Office
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| Provides policy direction and leadership for the division
including rulemaking, budget development, and execution, strategic plan implementation, and legislation.
Read about our Administrator and Deputy Administrator. |
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Benefit
Services Section: overview
Consists
of the Appellate Review,
Reemployment Assistance,
and Rehabilitation Review
Units.
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| Resolves
disputes through mediation and administrative orders. |
| Provides
in-depth consultations on reemployment, vocational, and reconsideration issues with insurers, medical providers, workers, attorneys, employers, and managed
care organizations (MCOs). |
| Provides
community education about preferred worker, vocational, and appellate processes/rules. |
| Administers
and provides reemployment incentive programs, such as worksite modification, wage subsidy, and premium exemption; and subsidizes the cost of equipment and
other related items required for employment. |
| Informs
and educates workers and employers about the workers’ compensation system and the processes that affect benefits. |
| Resolves
complaints; answers telephone inquiries; and conducts personal interviews regarding vocational, disability, and compensation benefits, suspected system
abuse, appeal processes, and irregularities of claims processing. |
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Compliance
Section: Consists of the Benefits
& Certification, Field
Audit, Investigations
& Sanctions, and Employer
Compliance units, in addition to the Contested
Cases Team.
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| Supervises and enforces laws and rules relating to claims processing
by private insurers, self-insured employers, and SAIF Corporation. |
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| Enforces laws requiring employers to obtain and maintain workers'
compensation coverage for their employees. |
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| Certifies employer leasing companies and self-insured employers. |
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| Investigates complaints against employers, insurers, vocational
providers, medical providers, and worker leasing companies. |
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| Authorizes reimbursement from the department's various reserves. |
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| Informs and educates workers and employers about the workers' compensation
system and the processes that affect benefits. |
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| Resolves complaints; answers telephone inquiries; and conducts
personal interviews regarding vocational, medical, disability, and compensation benefits, suspected system abuse, appeal processes, and irregularities of
claims processing. |
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Medical
Section: Consists of the Medical
Review, Medical Certifications, and Outreach Services Teams.
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| Provides central library, reception, files, mail, and word processing
support. |
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| Manages division information resources, purchasing, data processing,
space planning, and relocations. |
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Policy
& Communications Section: overview
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| Provides expertise to the administrator, program managers, and
MLAC on issues involving an understanding of statutes, administrative rules, and case law; coordinates legal issues; and acts as liaison with DOJ counsel. |
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| Promotes consistency throughout Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter
436; rules coordinator serves as a central point of contact with the Secretary of State. |
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| Facilitates
the development of consistent policies across Section and Unit lines. |
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| Creates and revises instructional bulletins and forms. |
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For
additional information, see our Fact Sheets.
Other programs within DCBS also deal with aspects
of the workers’ compensation system. Working together, these programs have slashed Oregon’s workers’ compensation premiums.
Oregon
Occupational Safety and Health Division
Workers’ Compensation Board
Ombudsman
for Injured Workers
Ombudsman for Small Business
Management-Labor
Advisory Committee
Insurance Division |
