39-71-605. Examination of employee by physician -- effect of refusal to submit to examination -- report and testimony of physician -- cost. (1) (a) Whenever in case of injury the right to compensation under this chapter would exist in favor of any employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the insurer, submit from time to time to examination by a physician or panel of physicians, who must be provided and paid for by the insurer, and shall likewise submit to examination from time to time by any physician or panel of physicians selected by the department.
     (b) The request or order for an examination must fix a time and place for the examination, with regard for the employee's convenience, physical condition, and ability to attend at the time and place that is as close to the employee's residence as is practical. The employee is entitled to have a physician present at any examination. If the employee, after written request, fails or refuses to submit to the examination or in any way obstructs the examination, the employee's right to compensation must be suspended and is subject to the provisions of 39-71-607. Any physician or panel of physicians employed by the insurer or the department who makes or is present at any examination may be required to testify as to the results of the examination.
     (2) In the event of a dispute concerning the physical condition of a claimant or the cause or causes of the injury or disability, if any, the department, at the request of the claimant or insurer, as the case may be, shall require the claimant to submit to an examination as it considers desirable by a physician or panel of physicians within the state or elsewhere who have had adequate and substantial experience in the particular field of medicine concerned with the matters presented by the dispute. The physician or panel of physicians making the examination shall file a written report of findings with the claimant and insurer for their use in the determination of the controversy involved. The requesting party shall pay the physician or panel of physicians for the examination.
     (3) This section does not apply to impairment evaluations provided for in 39-71-711.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 13, Ch. 96, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 2906, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 2906, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 23, L. 1975; Sec. 92-609, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 10, Ch. 234, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 27, Ch. 23, L. 1975; Sec. 92-814.1, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 92-609, 92-814.1; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 422, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 464, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 64, Ch. 613, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 558, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 619, L. 1993.