Iowa Joins Other States Not Adopting the AMA Guides 6th Edition

The State of Iowa joins many other States who will not implement the 6th Edition of the AMA Guides. This follows mounting criticism against the use of the 6th Ed. of the AMA Guides to determine workers’ compensation disability.

Under emergency rule making authority The Iowa Commission promulgated the following rule.
“AMA GUIDES – Rule 876—2.4 has been amended as follows:
876—2.4(85,86) Guides to evaluation of permanent impairment. The Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition, published by the American Medical Association are adopted as a guide for determining permanent partial disabilities under Iowa Code section 85.34(2)“a” to “s.” The extent of loss or percentage of permanent impairment may be determined by use of this guide the Fifth Edition of the guides and payment of weekly compensation for permanent partial scheduled injuries made accordingly. Payment so made shall be recognized by the workers’ compensation commissioner as a prima facie showing of compliance by the employer or insurance carrier with the foregoing sections of the Iowa workers’ compensation Act. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to prevent the presentations of other medical opinions or guides or other material evidence for the purpose of establishing that the degree of permanent disability to which the claimant would be entitled would be more or less than the entitlement indicated in the Fifth Edition of the AMA guide guides.”