New system to replace DACs proposed

A consultation paper outlining a new system to replace Ontario’s designated assessment centers (DACs) has been released by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). The “expert assessor network” (EAN) is being proposed as an alternative to what FSCO calls the “adversarial, costly, time consuming, and complex” DAC system. FSCO notes the DAC system has become very expensive and duplicative when DAC assessments are conducted in addition to section 24 and 42 statutory accident benefits schedule (SABS) assessments.The new network will be run by FSCO, and the former “Minister’s Committee on the DAC System” will be replaced by an “assessment advisory committee”, made up of rehabilitation and disability management experts.The expert assessors will work through local doctors offices meeting FSCO criteria, with referrals accomplished by a FSCO Internet selection system. The hope is to preserve objectivity in the assessments through the system and new guidelines, including that assessors cannot be involved in treatment of referral parties.FSCO also says the focus will be on diagnosis based on scientific evidence, and recommendations from expert assessors will be binding and serve as prima facie evidence at arbitration or in court. However, additional assessments may be allowed if arbitration is being sought.In an attempt to speed up the system, FSCO says basic assessments will be required within 10 days, and more complex assessments in 15 days. While a fee schedule has not been released, FSCO adds that the new fee structure will “bring network assessment fees into parity with other comparable systems”.Responses to the consultation paper are being accepted until April 14, with an expect final model to be announced by the end of June. FSCO says the new system should be in place by the end of the year, with the DAC system continuing to operate in the interim.