39-71-320. Certification program for claims examiners -- purpose -- rulemaking -- advisory committee -- continuing education -- fee. (1) Pursuant to the public policy stated in 39-71-105, accurate and prompt claims handling practices are necessary to provide appropriate service to injured workers, employers, and health care providers. To further that public policy, the purpose of this section is to authorize the department to establish a certification program for claims examiners. The department shall administer the certification program.

(2) The certification program is intended to improve the handling of workers' compensation claims by:

(a) establishing minimum qualifications and procedures for certifying claims examiners;

(b) requiring continuing education for certified claims examiners;

(c) better educating certified claims examiners about changes in the law; and

(d) providing standards for the qualifications of instructors, courses, and materials.

(3) The department shall adopt rules for the certification of workers' compensation claims examiners, providing for:

(a) minimum qualifications;

(b) examination;

(c) 2-year certification and renewal;

(d) continuing education requirements;

(e) a process by which a claims examiner who is newly hired or is in training may perform specified claims functions prior to becoming certified under this section; and

(f) a grace period of 12 months in which to take the examination for all noncertified individuals who were working as a claims examiner as of January 1, 2019.

(4) The department may appoint an advisory committee composed of injured workers, insurers, self-insured employers, third-party administrators, claims examiners, and members of the public to advise the department on setting standards for certification and continuing education.

(5) The department shall maintain:

(a) a list of all certified claims examiners; and

(b) the following records related to certified claims examiners:

(i) documentation of current and historical certifications;

(ii) beginning and ending dates of certifications; and

(iii) continuing education records.

(6) The training curriculum and continuing education used by insurers, self-insured employers, and third-party administrators for claims examiners must relate to the state workers' compensation system or to interactions among injured workers, medical providers, and employers. The training curriculum, course content, instructors, materials, instructional format, and the sponsoring organization must be approved by the department as qualifying for use in certification of claims examiners. The department may offer specialized training for continuing education purposes that is exempt from the approval requirements of this subsection.

(7) The department shall determine the number of credit hours to be awarded for completion of an approved training curriculum or department-approved specialized training. The department may accept continuing education credits approved by the insurance commissioner's office as provided in Title 33, chapter 17, the office of public instruction, or the state bar of Montana to satisfy the continuing education requirements for renewal of the claims examiner certification. The department, in its discretion, may accept continuing education credits from other accrediting sources.

(8) The department shall by rule adopt fees commensurate with the costs of administering the certification program. All fees collected by the department as provided in this section must be deposited in the workers' compensation administration fund provided for in 39-71-201. The department may charge a fee for the certification program, including but not limited to fees for:

(a) initial certification, including examination;

(b) certification renewal;

(c) approval of training curricula, including continuing education courses, course content, instructors, materials, instructional format, and sponsoring organizations; and

(d) specialized training offered by the department.