Change of physicians must be authorized to ensure proper payment of fees. A claimant is not permitted to change from one physician to another without a written consent for the transfer from the bureau of workers' compensation or the industrial commission, and in self-insuring employers' claims from the self-insuring employer. However, this rule does not apply to cases referred to a specialist by the attending physician or to transfers made prior to the initial exercise of the right to free choice of physician, as outlined in rule 4123-7-10 of the Administrative Code. Following the authorization of change, the new physician shall be required to submit a complete report of findings and of contemplated treatment to the bureau, to the industrial commission or to the self-insuring employer, as the case may be. Payment of medical bills for the approved treatment shall be made from the date of the filing of the request for change of physician.

(A) A request for change of physician must be in writing, signed by the claimant and must indicate the name and address of the new physician.

(B) Change of physicians must be requested in advance, unless made impossible by special circumstances. The burden to prove such special circumstances shall be on the claimant.

(C) Such request must contain reasons for change of physician, including, but not to be limited to, the following:

(1) Doctor moved;

(2) Doctor died;

(3) Claimant moved;

(4) Treatment does not improve the condition treated;

(5) Doctor declines to treat claimant any longer.

(D) Requests for change of physicians in other than self-insuring employers' claims shall be adjudicated by the bureau of workers' compensation, provided the issue is not contested by the employer or by the bureau. If the matter is in dispute, the claim shall be set for a formal hearing before a district hearing officer with notices to all interested parties. The hearing shall be held in the office nearest the residence of the claimant. If the claimant is not an Ohio resident, the hearing shall be held as directed by the industrial commission.

(E) In self-insuring employers' claims, after an employee has exercised the right of free choice of physician either by choosing a physician in the employ of a self-insurer or by choosing a physician not in such employ, the employee shall not be permitted to change from one physician to another except after making such a request for change in writing, together with the reasons therefor. The request shall first be submitted to the employer. In the event the employer refuses to grant such request, it shall submit to the bureau a copy of the employee's request and a statement giving the reason or reasons for refusal. The bureau shall immediately schedule the disagreement for a hearing, in the same manner as described in paragraph (D) of this rule.