Snapshot: Designated Doctor report

Summary

This report provides an overview of Texas-certified designated doctors (DDs) in the Texas workers’ compensation system and describes their role within the administrative dispute resolution process. This report is an analysis of DDs by evaluating their performance and presents comparative information for the years 2020 to 2024 by comparing metrics such as rescheduled appointments, timeliness of reports, and other DD responsibilities. This report compares DDs who use an agent, such as a scheduling company, and those who work independently. This report looks at DDs collectively, both agent and independent, and does not analyze any DD’s individual performance. This report also highlights 2024 data for DDs who work with an agent. Some 2020 results may reflect effects due to COVID-19 temporary policy changes. 

Published April 2026 by the Workers' Compensation Research and Evaluation Group.

Key findings