District Of Columbia § 1-623.23 - Physical examinations.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 1-623.23 — Physical examinations., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1-623.23. Physical examinations.
1-623.23An employee shall submit to examination by a medical officer of the District of Columbia government, or by a physician designated or approved by the Mayor, after the injury and as frequently and at the times and places as may be reasonably required. The employee may have a physician designated and paid by him or her present to participate in the examination.
Each person who provides medical care or service under this subchapter shall utilize a standard coding system for reports and bills pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Mayor.
Any medical care or service furnished or scheduled to be furnished under this subchapter shall be subject to utilization review. Utilization review may be accomplished prospectively, concurrently, or retrospectively. A decision on the medical care or service to the employee shall be made by the utilization review organization or individual within 60 days after the utilization review is requested. If the utilization review is not completed within 120 days of the request, the care or service under review shall be deemed approved. If the Mayor denies medical care or service because the medical care provider or claimant has not provided enough information for the utilization review process, the provider or claimant may request approval for the medical care or service again by providing new information.
In order to determine the necessity, character, or sufficiency of any medical care or service furnished or scheduled to be furnished under this subchapter and to allow for the performance of competent utilization review, a utilization review organization or individual used pursuant to this chapter shall be certified by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission.
When it appears that the necessity, character, or sufficiency of medical care or service to an employee is improper or that medical care or service scheduled to be furnished must be clarified, the Mayor, employee, or District of Columbia government may initiate review by a utilization review organization or individual.
If the medical care provider or employee disagrees with the opinion of the utilization review organization or individual, the medical care provider, or employee shall have the right to request reconsideration of the opinion by the utilization review organization or individual 60 calendar days from receipt of the utilization review report. The request for reconsideration shall be written and contain reasonable medical justification for the reconsideration.
Disputes between a medical care provider, employee, or District of Columbia government on the issue of necessity, character, or sufficiency of the medical care or service furnished, or scheduled to be furnished, or the fees charged by the medical care provider shall be resolved by the Mayor upon application for a hearing by the District of Columbia government, employee, or medical provider. The decision of the Mayor may be reviewed by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The decision may be affirmed, modified, revised, or remanded in the discretion of the court. The decision shall be affirmed if supported by substantial competent evidence on the record.
The District of Columbia government shall pay the cost of a utilization review if the employee seeks the review and is the prevailing party.
Medical care providers shall not hold employees liable for services rendered in connection with a compensable injury under this subchapter.
An employee is entitled to be paid expenses incident to an examination required by the Mayor which, in the opinion of the Mayor, are necessary and reasonable, including transportation and loss of wages incurred in order to be examined. The expenses, when authorized or approved by the Mayor, are paid from the Employees’ Compensation Fund.
The Mayor shall fix the fees for examinations under this section by physicians not employed by or under contract to the District of Columbia government to furnish medical services to employees. The fees, when authorized or approved by the Mayor, are paid from the Employees’ Compensation Fund.
If an employee refuses to submit to or obstructs an examination, his or her right to compensation under this subchapter is suspended until the refusal or obstruction stops. Compensation is not payable while a refusal or obstruction continues, and the period of the refusal or obstruction is deducted from the period for which compensation is payable to the employee.
Annotations
Applicability of : The Budget Office of the District of Columbia Council has determined that the conditions of § 1123 of were not met. Therefore the amendments to this section by section 1122(a) of have not been given effect.
Applicability of : Section 1123 of provided that subtitle L of the act (§§ 1121 to 1123) shall apply upon certification by the Chief Financial Officer that sufficient revenue is available in the June 2012, September 2012, or December 2012 revenue estimates to fund section 10002(a)(1) through (29) of the Revised Revenue Estimate Contingency Priority List Act of 2012, passed on 2nd reading on June 5, 2012 (Enrolled version of Bill 19-743).
Section 1122(b) of would have added a sentence in (a-2)(4) to read as follows: “In all medical opinions used under this section, the diagnosis or medical opinion of the employee’s treating physician shall be accorded great weight over other opinions, absent compelling reasons to the contrary.”
Mayor authorized to issue rules: See Historical and Statutory Notes following .
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 1-623.23
What does D.C. Code § 1-623.23 cover?
Section 1-623.23 ("Physical examinations.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 1-623.23?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 1-623.23" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 1-623.23 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.