2019 US Virgin Islands Code
Title 24 - Labor
Chapter 11 - Workers' Compensation Administration
§ 251c. Appointment of Administrator, Powers and Duties of Administrator
(a) The Administrator of the WCA, appointed pursuant to section 251b(b) of this chapter, shall have a minimum of three (3) years of experience and training in Workers' Compensation law and current issues.
(b) The Administrator shall be responsible for executing and upholding the policies, directives, rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Directors of the WCA and the Laws of the Virgin Islands pertaining to Workers' Compensation.
(c) The Administrator shall prescribe rules and regulations for the purpose of conducting continuing education seminars at least bi-annually for all personnel associated with Workers' Compensation claims, subject to the approval of the board.
(d) The Administrator shall file a complete and detailed written report accounting for all funds disbursed during the preceding fiscal year with the board. The board shall annually submit the report to the Governor and the Legislature.
(e) The Administrator, with the approval of the board, shall appoint appropriate advisory committees on Workers' Compensation matters, including an advisory committee consisting of three (3) members who are medical practitioners in the Virgin Islands, one of whom shall be a chiropractor, and who shall be selected by the Administrator from nominations submitted from the Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners; an advisory committee consisting of three (3) members who are dental practitioners in the Virgin Islands, and who shall be selected by the Administrator from nominations submitted from the Virgin Islands Board of Dental Examiners; and an advisory committee consisting of three members who are active in the field of mental health in the Virgin Islands and who shall be selected by the Administrator from nominations submitted by the Virgin Islands Division of Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services. Provided, however, that none of the members selected to serve on the advisory committees shall have a direct or indirect interest in the rate of reimbursement or payment of medical, dental, chiropractic, mental illness or other related costs by the Workers' Compensation Administration.
(f) The three advisory committees provided for herein shall advise the Administrator and make recommendations to ascertain the prevailing rate of reimbursement or payment of medical, dental and chiropractic costs in the Virgin Islands.
(g) The three advisory committees shall make recommendations to the Administrator with regard to the implementation of all rules and regulations pertaining to medical, dental, chiropractic, mental illness or other related evaluations and shall propose a review process by a group of peers in the associated field when such evaluations are in dispute.
(h) The three advisory committees shall advise and guide the administrator in determining all rules and regulations required to accomplish the goals of ensuring quality care, the control of costs and a speedy settlement of claims.
(i) The administrator shall administer the business of the agency and be responsible for its proper operation, subject to the orders, resolutions and directives of the board. The administrator may employ such clerical, professional and technical support services as the board may determine is necessary for the proper operation of the agency.
(j) The Administrator of the Workers' Compensation Administration shall have, in addition to the foregoing authority, the following duties and powers:
(1) establish offices for the Workers' Compensation Administration and provide for a complete and adequate system of accounts and records as may be required for the effectuation of the provisions of this chapter;
(2) with the advice of a technical advisor, develop a system for the expeditious resolution of claims;
(3) attend the meetings of the board and carry out the resolutions and directives of the board;
(4) certify payments to be made in accordance with this chapter;
(5) render an accounting of the board of all monies received and expended according to the law and the rules and regulations in force;
(6) formulate rules and regulations to govern the operation of the agency for presentation to the board for its approval and subsequent promulgation;
(7) make recommendations to the board on any change or revision of this chapter;
(8) prepare the annual report on the operations of the administration and submit the same to the board for its approval and to the Governor and the Legislature for their information;
(9) with actuarial assistance, develop a schedule of fees and other charges for medical services which shall be subject to the approval of the board.
(10) take all necessary steps to facilitate resolution of Workers' Compensation claims;
(11) develop and implement a system of transmittal of documents and payment of checks from one district to another by electronic means and in order to expeditiously carry out the prompt payment of benefits as stipulated by this chapter;
(12) render any reports to the board that it may request in connection with any matter relative to the operations of the chapter.
