Subject Numbers Regarding Health Provider Authorizations

Authorization No. P02423-3W

December 11, 2018

Pursuant to Workers' Compensation Law Sections 13-d(4) and 13-k(12), the Chair of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board has exercised her authority to temporarily suspend Dr. Thomas E. Couch’s authorization to treat injured workers within the New York State workers’ compensation system effective November 26, 2018. Dr. Couch's last known business address is:

500 Federal Street, Suite 601
Troy, New York 12180

The Chair’s designee’s investigation has revealed that the New York State Department of Education, Office of the Professions, has issued Order # 28745, wherein Dr. Couch did not contest one specification of professional misconduct including that in or about between June 2011 and May 2012, he failed to maintain accurate patient records concerning patients’ problems, findings and treatments. This resulted in a two-year stayed suspension, a two-year probationary period, and a $500.00 fine.

Therefore, the Chair believes that Dr. Couch may be guilty of misconduct as described in Education Law §6509(9) and 8 N.Y.C.R.R. Section 29.2(a)(3), and that such misconduct would detrimentally affect the quality of care provided to injured workers.

Dr. Couch is prohibited from rendering treatment and care to injured workers and from conducting reviews of records regarding variance requests pursuant to 12 NYCRR § 324.3(b)(2)(ii)(a) while his authorization is temporarily suspended. Reports submitted by Dr. Couch for services rendered prior to November 26, 2018, are valid but are invalid for any services rendered on or after that date. Requests to cross-examine Dr. Couch for services rendered prior to November 26, 2018, should not be denied due to the suspension of his authorization.

This suspension remains in effect until further notice. Any questions regarding the authorized lists should be referred to the Medical Director’s Office at 1 (800) 781-2362.