Chapter 102

102.13(1)(d)1. 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or vocational expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to testify as to the results of the examination.

102.13(1)(d)2. 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist who attended a worker’s compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify before the division when the division so directs.

102.13(1)(d)3. 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist attending a worker’s compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker’s compensation insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation claim.

102.13(1)(d)4. 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or podiatrist who is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation proceedings.

102.13(1)(e) (e) No person may testify on the issue of the reasonableness of the fees of a licensed health care professional unless the person is licensed to practice the same health care profession as the professional whose fees are the subject of the testimony. This paragraph does not apply to the fee dispute resolution process under s. 102.16 (2).

102.13(1)(f) (f) If an employee claims compensation under s. 102.81 (1), the department or the division may require the employee to submit to physical or vocational examinations under this subsection.

102.13(2) (2) 

102.13(2)(a) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient, psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health care provider shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer, worker’s compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative, provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to any injury for which the employee claims compensation. If the request is by a representative of a worker’s compensation insurer for a billing statement, the physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health care provider shall, within 30 days after receiving the request, provide that person with a complete copy of an itemized billing statement or a billing statement in a standard billing format recognized by the federal government.

102.13(2)(b) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, hospital, or health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written material requested under par. (a) in paper format upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage, or shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of that material in electronic format upon payment of $26 per request. Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person’s custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester’s right to the duplicates under par. (a).

102.13(2)(c) (c) Except as provided in this paragraph, if an injured employee has a period of temporary disability that exceeds 3 weeks or a permanent disability, if the injured employee has undergone surgery to treat his or her injury, other than surgery to correct a hernia, or if the injured employee sustained an eye injury requiring medical treatment on 3 or more occasions off the employer’s premises, the department may by rule require the insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of the employee’s treating practitioner. The department may not require an insurer or self-insured employer to submit to the department a final report of an employee’s treating practitioner when the insurer or self-insured employer denies the employee’s claim for compensation in its entirety and the employee does not contest that denial. A treating practitioner shall complete a final report on a timely basis and may charge a reasonable fee for the completion of the final report, not to exceed $100, but may not require prepayment of that fee. An insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the reasonableness of a fee charged for the completion of a treatment practitioner’s final report may submit that dispute to the department for resolution under s. 102.16 (2).

102.13(3) (3) If 2 or more physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, or podiatrists disagree as to the extent of an injured employee’s temporary disability, the end of an employee’s healing period, an employee’s ability to return to work at suitable available employment or the necessity for further treatment or for a particular type of treatment, the department or the division may appoint another physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, or podiatrist to examine the employee and render an opinion as soon as possible. The department or the division shall promptly notify the parties of this appointment. If the employee has not returned to work, payment for temporary disability shall continue until the department or the division receives the opinion. The employer or its insurance carrier, or both, shall pay for the examination and opinion. The employer or insurance carrier, or both, shall receive appropriate credit for any overpayment to the employee determined by the department or the division after receipt of the opinion.

102.13(4) (4) The right of an employee to begin or maintain proceedings for the collection of compensation and to receive weekly indemnities that accrue and become payable shall not be suspended or barred under sub. (1) when an employee refuses to submit to a physical examination, upon the request of the employer or worker’s compensation insurer or at the direction of the department, the division, or an examiner, that would require the employee to travel a distance of 100 miles or more from his or her place of residence, unless the employee has claimed compensation for treatment from a practitioner whose office is located 100 miles or more from the employee’s place of residence or the department, division, or examiner determines that any other circumstances warrant the examination. If the employee has claimed compensation for treatment from a practitioner whose office is located 100 miles or more from the employee’s place of residence, the employer or insurer may request, or the department, the division, or an examiner may direct, the employee to submit to a physical examination in the area where the employee’s treatment practitioner is located.

102.13(5) (5) The department or the division may refuse to receive testimony as to conditions determined from an autopsy if it appears that the party offering the testimony had procured the autopsy and had failed to make reasonable effort to notify at least one party in adverse interest or the department or the division at least 12 hours before the autopsy of the time and place at which the autopsy would be performed, or that the autopsy was performed by or at the direction of the coroner or medical examiner or at the direction of the district attorney for purposes not authorized under ch. 979. The department or the division may withhold findings until an autopsy is held in accordance with its directions.

102.13 History History: 1973 c. 272, 282; 1975 c. 147; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 102 s. 236 (3); 1979 c. 278; 1981 c. 92; 1983 a. 98, 279; 1985 a. 83; 1987 a. 179; 1989 a. 64, 359; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81; 1997 a. 38; 2003 a. 144; 2005 a. 172; 2011 a. 183; 2015 a. 55, 180; 2021 a. 29, 232; 2023 a. 213.

102.14 102.14 Jurisdiction of department and division; advisory committee.

102.14(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided, this chapter shall be administered by the department and the division.

102.14(2) (2) The council on worker’s compensation shall advise the department and the division in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, shall submit its recommendations with respect to amendments to this chapter to each regular session of the legislature, and shall report its views upon any pending bill relating to this chapter to the proper legislative committee. At the request of the chairpersons of the senate and assembly committees on labor, the department shall schedule a meeting of the council with the members of the senate and assembly committees on labor to review and discuss matters of legislative concern arising under this chapter.

102.14 History History: 1975 c. 147 s. 54; 1979 c. 278; 2015 a. 55.

102.15 102.15 Rules; transcripts.

102.15(1) (1) 

102.15(1)(a) (a) The department may promulgate rules as necessary to carry out its duties and functions under this chapter. The provisions of s. 103.005 relating to the adoption, publication, modification, and court review of rules or general orders of the department shall apply to all rules promulgated or general orders adopted under this chapter.

102.15(1)(b) (b) Subject to this chapter, the division may adopt its own rules of procedure and may change the same from time to time.

102.15(2) (2) The division may provide by rule the conditions under which transcripts of testimony and proceedings shall be furnished.

102.15(3) (3) All testimony at any hearing held under this chapter shall be taken down by a stenographic reporter, except that in case of an emergency, as determined by the examiner conducting the hearing, testimony may be recorded by a recording machine.

102.15 History History: 1977 c. 418; 1989 a. 64; 2015 a. 55; 2021 a. 232 ss. 21, 22, 33.

102.15 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DWD 80 and HA 4, Wis. adm. code.

102.16 102.16 Submission of disputes, contributions by employees.

102.16(1) (1) 

102.16(1)(a) (a) Any controversy concerning compensation or a violation of sub. (3), including a controversy in which the state may be a party, shall be submitted to the department in the manner and with the effect provided in this chapter.

102.16(1)(b) (b)

102.16(1)(b)1. 1. In the case of a claim for compensation with respect to which no application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. or with respect to which an application has been filed, but the application is not ready to be scheduled for a hearing, the department may review and set aside, modify, or confirm a compromise of the claim within one year after the date on which the compromise is filed with the department, the date on which an award has been entered based on the compromise, or the date on which an application for the department to take any of those actions is filed with the department.

102.16(1)(b)2. 2. The department may conduct alternative dispute resolution activities for a case involving an employee who is not represented by an attorney with respect to which no application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1. or with respect to which an application has been filed, regardless of whether the application is ready to be scheduled for a hearing.

102.16(1)(c) (c) In the case of a claim for compensation with respect to which an application has been filed under s. 102.17 (1) (a) 1., if the application is ready to be scheduled for a hearing, the division may review and set aside, modify, or confirm a compromise of the claim within one year after the date on which the compromise is filed with the division, the date on which an award has been entered based on the compromise, or the date on which an application for the division to take any of those actions is filed with the division.

102.16(1)(d) (d) Unless the word “compromise” appears in a stipulation of settlement, the settlement shall not be considered a compromise, and further claim is not barred except as provided in s. 102.17 (4) regardless of whether an award is made. The employer, insurer, or dependent under s. 102.51 (5) shall have equal rights with the employee to have a compromise or any other stipulation of settlement reviewed under this subsection. Upon petition filed with the department or the division under this subsection, the department or the division may set aside the award or otherwise determine the rights of the parties.

102.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.03, Wis. adm. code.

102.16(1m) (1m) 

102.16(1m)(a) (a) If an insurer or self-insured employer concedes by compromise under sub. (1) or stipulation under s. 102.18 (1) (a) that the insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for any health services provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but disputes the reasonableness of the fee charged by the health service provider, the department or the division may include in its order confirming the compromise or stipulation a determination made by the department under sub. (2) as to the reasonableness of the fee or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the department or the division may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the health service provider under sub. (2) (b) that the reasonableness of the fee is in dispute. The department or the division shall deny payment of a health service fee that the department determines under sub. (2) to be unreasonable. A health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a fee dispute under this paragraph are bound by the department’s determination under sub. (2) on the reasonableness of the disputed fee, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department under sub. (2) (f) or is set aside on judicial review as provided in sub. (2) (f).

102.16(1m)(b) (b) If an insurer or self-insured employer concedes by compromise under sub. (1) or stipulation under s. 102.18 (1) (a) that the insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for any treatment provided to an injured employee by a health service provider, but disputes the necessity of the treatment, the department or the division may include in its order confirming the compromise or stipulation a determination made by the department under sub. (2m) as to the necessity of the treatment or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the department or the division may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the health service provider under sub. (2m) (b) that the necessity of the treatment is in dispute. Before determining under sub. (2m) the necessity of treatment provided to an injured employee, the department may, but is not required to, obtain the opinion of an expert selected by the department who is qualified as provided in sub. (2m) (c). The standards promulgated under sub. (2m) (g) shall be applied by an expert and by the department in rendering an opinion as to, and in determining, necessity of treatment under this paragraph. In cases in which no standards promulgated under sub. (2m) (g) apply, the department shall find the facts regarding necessity of treatment. The department or the division shall deny payment for any treatment that the department determines under sub. (2m) to be unnecessary. A health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a dispute under this paragraph over the necessity of treatment are bound by the department’s determination under sub. (2m) on the necessity of the disputed treatment, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department under sub. (2m) (e) or is set aside on judicial review as provided in sub. (2m) (e).

102.16(1m)(c) (c) If an insurer or self-insured employer concedes by compromise under sub. (1) or stipulation under s. 102.18 (1) (a) that the insurer or self-insured employer is liable under this chapter for the cost of a prescription drug dispensed under s. 102.425 (2) for outpatient use by an injured employee, but disputes the reasonableness of the amount charged for the prescription drug, the department or the division may include in its order confirming the compromise or stipulation a determination made by the department under s. 102.425 (4m) as to the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge or, if such a determination has not yet been made, the department or the division may notify, or direct the insurer or self-insured employer to notify, the pharmacist or practitioner dispensing the prescription drug under s. 102.425 (4m) (b) that the reasonableness of the prescription drug charge is in dispute. The department or the division shall deny payment of a prescription drug charge that the department determines under s. 102.425 (4m) to be unreasonable. A pharmacist or practitioner and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a dispute under this paragraph over the reasonableness of a prescription drug charge are bound by the department’s determination under s. 102.425 (4m) on the reasonableness of the disputed prescription drug charge, unless that determination is set aside, reversed, or modified by the department under s. 102.425 (4m) (e) or is set aside on judicial review as provided in s. 102.425 (4m) (e).

102.16(2) (2) 

102.16(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in this paragraph, the department has jurisdiction under this subsection, the department and the division have jurisdiction under sub. (1m) (a), and the division has jurisdiction under s. 102.17 to resolve a dispute between a health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer over the reasonableness of a fee charged by the health service provider for health services provided to an injured employee who claims benefits under this chapter. A health service provider may not submit a fee dispute to the department under this subsection before all treatment by the health service provider of the employee’s injury has ended if the amount in controversy, whether based on a single charge or a combination of charges for one or more days of service, is less than $25. After all treatment by a health service provider of an employee’s injury has ended, the health service provider may submit any fee dispute to the department, regardless of the amount in controversy. The department shall deny payment of a health service fee that the department determines under this subsection to be unreasonable.

102.16(2)(am) (am) A health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a fee dispute under this subsection are bound by the department’s determination under this subsection on the reasonableness of the disputed fee, unless that determination is set aside on judicial review as provided in par. (f).

102.16(2)(b) (b) An insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the reasonableness of a fee charged by a health service provider or the department or the division under sub. (1m) (a) or s. 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. shall provide reasonable written notice to the health service provider that the fee is being disputed. After receiving reasonable written notice under this paragraph or under sub. (1m) (a) or s. 102.18 (1) (bg) 1. that a health service fee is being disputed, a health service provider may not collect the disputed fee from, or bring an action for collection of the disputed fee against, the employee who received the services for which the fee was charged.

102.16(2)(c) (c) After a fee dispute is submitted to the department, the insurer or self-insured employer that is a party to the dispute shall provide to the department information on that fee and information on fees charged by other health service providers for comparable services. The insurer or self-insured employer shall obtain the information on comparable fees from a database that is certified by the department under par. (h). Except as provided in par. (e) 1., if the insurer or self-insured employer does not provide the information required under this paragraph, the department shall determine that the disputed fee is reasonable and order that it be paid. If the insurer or self-insured employer provides the information required under this paragraph, the department shall use that information to determine the reasonableness of the disputed fee.

102.16(2)(d) (d) The department shall analyze the information provided to the department under par. (c) according to the criteria provided in this paragraph to determine the reasonableness of the disputed fee. Except as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 183, section 30 (2) (b), the department shall determine that a disputed fee is reasonable and order that the disputed fee be paid if that fee is at or below the mean fee for the health service procedure for which the disputed fee was charged, plus 1.2 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a database that is certified by the department under par. (h). Except as provided in 2011 Wisconsin Act 183, section 30 (2) (b), the department shall determine that a disputed fee is unreasonable and order that a reasonable fee be paid if the disputed fee is above the mean fee for the health service procedure for which the disputed fee was charged, plus 1.2 standard deviations from that mean, as shown by data from a database that is certified by the department under par. (h), unless the health service provider proves to the satisfaction of the department that a higher fee is justified because the service provided in the disputed case was more difficult or more complicated to provide than in the usual case.

102.16(2)(e) (e)

102.16(2)(e)1. 1. Subject to subd. 2., if an insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the reasonableness of a fee charged by a health service provider cannot provide information on fees charged by other health service providers for comparable services because the database to which the insurer or self-insured employer subscribes is not able to provide accurate information for the health service procedure at issue, the department may use any other information that the department considers to be reliable and relevant to the disputed fee to determine the reasonableness of the disputed fee.

102.16(2)(e)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., the department may use only a hospital radiology database that has been certified by the department under par. (h) to determine the reasonableness of a hospital fee for radiology services.

102.16(2)(f) (f) Within 30 days after a determination under this subsection, the department may set aside, reverse, or modify the determination for any reason that the department considers sufficient. Within 60 days after a determination under this subsection, the department may set aside, reverse, or modify the determination on grounds of mistake. A health service provider, insurer, or self-insured employer that is aggrieved by a determination of the department under this subsection may seek judicial review of that determination in the same manner that compensation claims are reviewed under s. 102.23.

102.16(2)(g) (g) Section 102.13 (1) (e) does not apply to the fee dispute resolution process under this subsection.

102.16(2)(h) (h) The department shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and requirements for the fee dispute resolution process under this subsection, including rules specifying the standards that health service fee databases must meet for certification under this paragraph. Using those standards, the department shall certify databases of the health service fees that various health service providers charge. In certifying databases under this paragraph, the department shall certify at least one database of hospital fees for radiology services, including diagnostic and interventional radiology, diagnostic ultrasound and nuclear medicine.

102.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.72, Wis. adm. code.

102.16(2m) (2m) 

102.16(2m)(a) (a) Except as provided in this paragraph, the department has jurisdiction under this subsection, the department and the division have jurisdiction under sub. (1m) (b), and the division has jurisdiction under s. 102.17 to resolve a dispute between a health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer over the necessity of treatment provided for an injured employee who claims benefits under this chapter. A health service provider may not submit a dispute over necessity of treatment to the department under this subsection before all treatment by the health service provider of the employee’s injury has ended if the amount in controversy, whether based on a single charge or a combination of charges for one or more days of service, is less than $25. After all treatment by a health service provider of an employee’s injury has ended, the health service provider may submit any dispute over necessity of treatment to the department, regardless of the amount in controversy. The department shall deny payment for any treatment that the department determines under this subsection to be unnecessary.

102.16(2m)(am) (am) A health service provider and an insurer or self-insured employer that are parties to a dispute under this subsection over the necessity of treatment are bound by the department’s determination under this subsection on the necessity of the disputed treatment, unless that determination is set aside on judicial review as provided in par. (e).

102.16(2m)(b) (b) An insurer or self-insured employer that disputes the necessity of treatment provided by a health service provider or the department or the division under sub. (1m) (b) or s. 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. shall provide reasonable written notice to the health service provider that the necessity of that treatment is being disputed. After receiving reasonable written notice under this paragraph or under sub. (1m) (b) or s. 102.18 (1) (bg) 2. that the necessity of treatment is being disputed, a health service provider may not collect a fee for that disputed treatment from, or bring an action for collection of the fee for that disputed treatment against, the employee who received the treatment.

102.16(2m)(c) (c) Before determining under this subsection the necessity of treatment provided for an injured employee who claims benefits under this chapter, the department shall obtain a written opinion on the necessity of the treatment in dispute from an expert selected by the department. To qualify as an expert, a person must be licensed to practice the same health care profession as the individual health service provider whose treatment is under review and must either be performing services for an impartial health care services review organization or be a member of an independent panel of experts established by the department under par. (f). The standards promulgated under par. (g) shall be applied by an expert and by the department in rendering an opinion as to, and in determining, necessity of treatment under this paragraph. In cases in which no standards promulgated under sub. (2m) (g) apply, the department shall find the facts regarding necessity of treatment. The department shall adopt the written opinion of the expert as the department’s determination on the issues covered in the written opinion, unless the health service provider or the insurer or self-insured employer present clear and convincing written evidence that the expert’s opinion is in error.

102.16(2m)(d) (d) The department may charge a party to a dispute over the necessity of treatment provided for an injured employee who claims benefits under this chapter for the full cost of obtaining the written opinion of the expert under par. (c). The department shall charge the insurer or self-insured employer for the full cost of obtaining the written opinion of the expert for the first dispute that a particular individual health service provider is involved in, unless the department determines that the individual health service provider’s position in the dispute is frivolous or based on fraudulent representations. In a subsequent dispute involving the same individual health service provider, the department shall charge the losing party to the dispute for the full cost of obtaining the written opinion of the expert.

102.16(2m)(e) (e) Within 30 days after a determination under this subsection, the department may set aside, reverse, or modify the determination for any reason that the department considers sufficient. Within 60 days after a determination under this subsection, the department may set aside, reverse, or modify the determination on grounds of mistake. A health service provider, insurer, or self-insured employer that is aggrieved by a determination of the department under this subsection may seek judicial review of that determination in the same manner that compensation claims are reviewed under s. 102.23.

102.16(2m)(f) (f) The department may contract with an impartial health care services review organization to provide the expert opinions required under par. (c), or establish a panel of experts to provide those opinions, or both. If the department establishes a panel of experts to provide the expert opinions required under par. (c), the department may pay the members of that panel a reasonable fee, plus actual and necessary expenses, for their services.

102.16(2m)(g) (g) The department shall promulgate rules establishing procedures and requirements for the necessity of treatment dispute resolution process under this subsection, including rules setting the fees under par. (f) and rules establishing standards for determining the necessity of treatment provided to an injured employee. Before the department may amend the rules establishing those standards, the department shall establish an advisory committee under s. 227.13 composed of health care providers providing treatment under s. 102.42 to advise the department and the council on worker’s compensation on amending those rules.

102.16 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 80.73 and ch. DWD 81, Wis. adm. code.

102.16(3) (3) No employer subject to this chapter may solicit, receive, or collect any money from an employee or any other person or make any deduction from their wages, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of discharging any liability under this chapter or recovering premiums paid on a contract described under s. 102.31 (1) (a) or a policy described under s. 102.315 (3), (4), or (5) (a); nor may any employer subject to this chapter sell to an employee or other person, or solicit or require the employee or other person to purchase, medical, chiropractic, podiatric, psychological, dental, or hospital tickets or contracts for medical, surgical, hospital, or other health care treatment that is required to be furnished by that employer.

102.16(4) (4) The department and the division have jurisdiction to pass on any question arising out of sub. (3) and to order the employer to reimburse an employee or other person for any sum deducted from wages or paid by him or her in violation of that subsection. In addition to the penalty provided in s. 102.85 (1), any employer violating sub. (3) shall be liable to an injured employee for the reasonable value of the necessary services rendered to that employee under any arrangement made in violation of sub. (3) without regard to that employee’s actual disbursements for those services.

102.16(5) (5) Except as provided in s. 102.28 (3), no agreement by an employee to waive the right to compensation is valid.

102.16 History History: 1975 c. 147, 200; 1977 c. 195; 1981 c. 92, 314; 1983 a. 98; 1985 a. 83; 1989 a. 64; 1991 a. 85; 1993 a. 81; 1995 a. 117; 1997 a. 38; 1999 a. 14, 185; 2001 a. 37; 2003 a. 144; 2005 a. 172; 2007 a. 185; 2009 a. 206; 2011 a. 183; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 366; 2021 a. 232.

102.16 Annotation The continuing obligation to compensate an employee for work related medical expenses under s. 102.42 does not allow agency review of compromise agreements after the one-year statute of limitations in sub. (1) has run if the employee incurs medical expenses after that time. Schenkoski v. LIRC, 203 Wis. 2d 109, 552 N.W.2d 120 (Ct. App. 1996), 96-0051.

102.16 Annotation An appeal under sub. (2m) (e) of a Department of Workforce Development determination may be served under s. 102.23 (1) (b) on the department or the Labor and Industry Review Commission. McDonough v. DWD, 227 Wis. 2d 271, 595 N.W.2d 686 (1999), 97-3711.

102.16 Annotation The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) does not possess authority to independently determine, for worker’s compensation purposes, the reasonableness and medical necessity of a protectively-placed injured employee’s court-ordered transfer to the least restrictive environment under ch. 55. DWD’s authority is limited to resolving disputes regarding the reasonableness or necessity of treatment provided to an injured employee, which permits DWD to evaluate the treatment an employee receives within a placement, but not the placement itself. LaBeree v. LIRC, 2010 WI App 148, 330 Wis. 2d 101, 793 N.W.2d 77, 09-1628.

102.17 102.17 Procedure; notice of hearing; witnesses, contempt; testimony, medical examination.

102.17(1) (1) 

102.17(1)(a) (a)

102.17(1)(a)1. 1. Upon the filing with the department by any party in interest of any application in writing stating the general nature of any claim as to which any dispute or controversy may have arisen, the department shall mail a copy of the application to all other parties in interest, and the insurance carrier shall be considered a party in interest. The department or the division may bring in additional parties by service of a copy of the application.

102.17(1)(a)2. 2. Subject to subd. 3., the division shall cause notice of hearing on the application to be given to each interested party by service of that notice on the interested party personally or by mailing a copy of that notice to the interested party’s last-known address at least 10 days before the hearing. If a party in interest is located without this state, and has no post-office address within this state, the copy of the application and copies of all notices shall be filed with the department of financial institutions and shall also be sent by registered or certified mail to the last-known post-office address of the party. Such filing and mailing shall constitute sufficient service, with the same effect as if served upon a party located within this state.

102.17(1)(a)3. 3. If a party in interest claims that the employer or insurer has acted with malice or bad faith as described in s. 102.18 (1) (b) 3. or (bp), that party shall provide written notice stating with reasonable specificity the basis for the claim to the employer, the insurer, the department, and the division before the division schedules a hearing on the claim of malice or bad faith.

102.17(1)(a)4. 4. The hearing may be adjourned in the discretion of the division, and hearings may be held at such places as the division designates, within or without the state. The division may also arrange to have hearings held by the commission, officer, or tribunal having authority to hear cases arising under the worker’s compensation law of any other state, of the District of Columbia, or of any territory of the United States, with the testimony and proceedings at any such hearing to be reported to the division and to be made part of the record in the case. Any evidence so taken shall be subject to rebuttal upon final hearing before the division.

102.17(1)(b) (b) In any dispute or controversy pending before the division, the division may direct the parties to appear before an examiner for a conference to consider the clarification of issues, the joining of additional parties, the necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, the obtaining of admissions of fact or of documents, records, reports, and bills that may avoid unnecessary proof, and such other matters as may aid in disposition of the dispute or controversy. After that conference the division may issue an order requiring disclosure or exchange of any information or written material that the division considers material to the timely and orderly disposition of the dispute or controversy. If a party fails to disclose or exchange that information within the time stated in the order, the division may issue an order dismissing the claim without prejudice or excluding evidence or testimony relating to the information or written material. The division shall provide each party with a copy of any order issued under this paragraph.

102.17(1)(c) (c)

102.17(1)(c)1. 1. Any party shall have the right to be present at any hearing, in person or by attorney or any other agent, and to present such testimony as may be pertinent to the controversy before the division. No person, firm, or corporation, other than an attorney at law who is licensed to practice law in the state, may appear on behalf of any party in interest before the division or any member or employee of the division assigned to conduct any hearing, investigation, or inquiry relative to a claim for compensation or benefits under this chapter, unless the person is 18 years of age or older, does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, is otherwise qualified, and has obtained from the division a license with authorization to appear in matters or proceedings before the division. Except as provided under pars. (cm), (cr), and (ct), the license shall be issued by the division under rules promulgated by the division. The division shall maintain in its office a current list of persons to whom licenses have been issued.

102.17(1)(c)2. 2. Any license issued under subd. 1. may be suspended or revoked by the division for fraud or serious misconduct on the part of an agent, may be denied, suspended, nonrenewed, or otherwise withheld by the division for failure to pay court-ordered payments as provided in par. (cm) on the part of an agent, and may be denied or revoked if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions. Before suspending or revoking the license of the agent on the grounds of fraud or misconduct, the division shall give notice in writing to the agent of the charges of fraud or misconduct and shall give the agent full opportunity to be heard in relation to those charges. In denying, suspending, restricting, refusing to renew, or otherwise withholding a license for failure to pay court-ordered payments as provided in par. (cm), the division shall follow the procedure provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857.

102.17(1)(c)3. 3. Unless otherwise suspended or revoked, a license issued under subd. 1. shall be in force from the date of issuance until the June 30 following the date of issuance and may be periodically renewed by the division, but each renewed license shall expire on the June 30 following the issuance of the renewed license.

102.17(1)(cg) (cg)

102.17(1)(cg)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2m., the division shall require each applicant for a license under par. (c) who is an individual to provide the division with the applicant’s social security number, and shall require each applicant for a license under par. (c) who is not an individual to provide the division with the applicant’s federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to renew the license.

102.17(1)(cg)2. 2. If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant’s social security number to the division or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant’s federal employer identification number to the division, the division may not issue or renew a license under par. (c) to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under subd. 2m.

102.17(1)(cg)2m. 2m. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the division that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the division. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

102.17(1)(cg)3. 3. The division may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301, the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227, or the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22.

102.17(1)(cm) (cm) The department of workforce development shall deny, suspend, restrict, refuse to renew, or otherwise withhold a license under par. (c) for failure of the applicant or agent to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or for failure of the applicant or agent to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided in the memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 and not as provided in ch. 227.

102.17(1)(cr) (cr) The division shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license under par. (c), or revoke such a license already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

102.17(1)(ct) (ct) The division shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license under par. (c), or revoke such a license already issued, if the department certifies under s. 108.227 that the applicant or licensee is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding par. (c), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.