Ohio § 4123.53

§ 4123.53.

(A) The administrator of workers' compensation or the industrial commission may require

any employee claiming the right to receive compensation to submit to a medical examination,

vocational evaluation, or vocational questionnaire at any time, and from time to time,

at a place reasonably convenient for the employee, and as provided by the rules of

the commission or the administrator of workers' compensation.  A claimant required by the commission or administrator to submit to a medical examination

or vocational evaluation, at a point outside of the place of permanent or temporary

residence of the claimant, as provided in this section, is entitled to have paid to

the claimant by the bureau of workers' compensation the necessary and actual expenses

on account of the attendance for the medical examination or vocational evaluation

after approval of the expense statement by the bureau.  Under extraordinary circumstances and with the unanimous approval of the commission,

if the commission requires the medical examination or vocational evaluation, or with

the approval of the administrator, if the administrator requires the medical examination

or vocational evaluation, the bureau shall pay an injured or diseased employee the

necessary, actual, and authorized expenses of treatment at a point outside the place

of permanent or temporary residence of the claimant. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section, when an employee

initially receives temporary total disability compensation pursuant to section 4123.56 of the Revised Code for a consecutive ninety-day period, the administrator shall refer the employee to

the bureau medical section to schedule a medical examination to determine the employee's

continued entitlement to such compensation, the employee's rehabilitation potential,

and the appropriateness of the medical treatment the employee is receiving.  The bureau medical section shall schedule the examination for a date not later than

thirty days following the end of the initial ninety-day period.  If the medical examiner, upon an initial or any subsequent examination recommended

by the medical examiner under this division, determines that the employee is temporarily

and totally impaired, the medical examiner shall recommend a date when the employee

should be reexamined.  Upon the issuance of the medical examination report containing a recommendation

for reexamination, the administrator shall schedule an examination and, if at the

date of reexamination the employee is receiving temporary total disability compensation,

the employee shall be examined. (2) The administrator, for good cause, may waive the scheduling of a medical examination

under division (B)(1) of this section.  If the employee's employer objects to the administrator's waiver, the administrator

shall refer the employee to the bureau medical section to schedule the examination

or the administrator shall schedule the examination. (3) The administrator shall adopt a rule, pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code,

permitting employers to waive the administrator's scheduling of any such examinations. (C) If an employee refuses to submit to any medical examination or vocational evaluation

scheduled pursuant to this section or obstructs the same, or refuses to complete and

submit to the bureau or commission a vocational questionnaire within thirty days after

the bureau or commission mails the request to complete and submit the questionnaire

the employee's right to have the employee's claim for compensation considered, if

the claim is pending before the bureau or commission, or to receive any payment for

compensation theretofore granted, is suspended during the period of the refusal or

obstruction.  Notwithstanding this section, an employee's failure to submit to a medical examination

or vocational evaluation, or to complete and submit a vocational questionnaire, shall

not result in the dismissal of the employee's claim. (D) Medical examinations scheduled under this section do not limit medical examinations

provided for in other provisions of this chapter or Chapter 4121. of the Revised Code.