Section 221. Method of Payment

   (a) Payment shall be made to the address of record or account specified by the claimant, in cash, by negotiable instrument, or upon agreement of the parties by electronic funds transfer. Payment by negotiable instrument shall denote the pay period which the payment represents. Mailed payments shall be sent to the claimant in accordance with the procedure prescribed by O.C.G.A. § 34-9-221(b).

(b) For the purpose of calculating time periods, the date of injury shall be deemed to be the date of disability and a week shall be deemed to be seven calendar days. See Rule 220(a).

(c) In all cases, including payment of salary for compensable disability, upon making the first payment and upon suspension of payment, Forms WC-1 or WC-2 or, in case of death, Form WC-2A shall be filed with the Board. If the Forms WC-1 or WC-2 show payment is less than the maximum weekly benefit under either O.C.G.A. § 34-9-261 or O.C.G.A. § 34-9-262, as applicable, a Form WC-6 or other sufficient explanation shall be filed with the Board with the accompanying Form WC-1 or WC-2. To report any change in weekly benefits, payment of salary during period of compensability, classification, or rating of disability, a Form WC-2 shall be filed with the Board. An injured employee who receives regular wages during disability shall not be entitled to weekly benefits for the same period.

(d) To controvert in whole or in part the right to income benefits or other compensation, use Forms WC-1 or WC-3. Failure to file the Forms WC-1 or WC-3 before the 21st day after knowledge of the injury or death may subject the employer/insurer to an assessment of penalties or attorney's fees. See paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b) of O.C.G.A. § 34-9-108.

(e) Any penalty for late payment shall be stated as a separate item on Forms WC-1, WC-2 or WC-2A.

(f) Accrued benefits payable under the terms of an award are due on the date the award is issued.

(g) Within 30 days after final payment of compensation, a final Form WC-4 shall be filed with the Board.

(h) Subsection (h) of O.C.G.A. § 34-9-221 applies only when income benefits are being paid under Forms WC-2, WC-2A, or subsection B of Form WC-1. To suspend payment on the ground of a change in condition, file Forms WC-2 or WC-2A.

   (1) A Form WC-3 shall not be used to suspend benefits where the only issue is length of disability. In these cases, suspend benefits by filing a Form WC-2 or follow procedure outlined in Rule 240. If liability is denied subsequent to commencement of payment, but within 60 days of due date of first payment of compensation, file Form WC-3 in addition to a Form WC-2.

   (2) If income benefits have been continued for more than 60 days after the due date of first payment of compensation, benefits may be suspended only on the grounds of a change in condition or newly discovered evidence. File Forms WC-2 or WC-2A. When controverting a claim based on newly discovered evidence, file Form WC-3 also.

(i) (1) Suspension of benefits at any time on the ground of change in condition requires advance notice of 10 days unless the employee has actually returned to work.

   (2) The date of filing with the Board, in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary, shall be considered the date of notice.

   (3) The date affixed by the Board to Forms WC-2 or WC-2A, in the absence of compelling evidence to the contrary, shall be considered the date of notice.

   (4) (a) When suspending benefits for release to return to work without restrictions, the employer/insurer shall attach to the Form WC-2 a copy of the supporting medical report from employee's authorized treating physician, who must have examined the employee within sixty days of the effective date of the release.

      (b) If suspending benefits for release to return to work without restrictions, and if filing via EDI, section (i)(4)(a) shall be followed and the employer/insurer shall simultaneously mail to, or electronically file with, the Board the filed Subsequent Report of Injury (SROI) or Form WC-2 and a copy of the supporting medical report from employee's authorized treating physician. Pursuant to Board Rule 60(c), all documents filed with the Board shall contain the employee's name, date of injury, and Board claim number. Any document that does not contain this information shall be rejected by the Board. Copies of all filings shall be served on the employee and the employee's attorney, if represented. If service is performed by regular mail to the employee, three additional days shall be added to the prescribed notice period.