New Mexico Statutes Chapter 22. Public Schools § 22-11-36. Disability benefit; continued eligibility; re-examinations

A. Unless designated by the board as being permanently disabled, to continue to receive disability benefits, a member shall, on the anniversary date in each year of the member's being placed on a disability status, present current medical records to the medical authority in support of the applicant's continuing disability claim. The medical authority shall recommend to the board that the member either be placed on continuing annual disability or permanent disability or removed from disability status due to a substantial betterment of the member's condition. In the event a substantial betterment of the disability is reported, the board shall determine whether the member is totally disabled for employment and unable to obtain and retain other gainful employment commensurate with the member's background, education and experience. If the board determines that the member is no longer disabled, the payment of the disability benefits shall cease.

B. Payment of disability benefits to a member shall be suspended if the member fails to submit medical records to the medical authority within thirty days after the date upon which the member should have submitted the medical records and where the failure to submit the medical records was due to the unexcused failure or the refusal of the member to do so. Payment of disability benefits shall be resumed only after the member has submitted current medical records to the board and the board has determined that the member is totally disabled. A member shall have no right or claim for benefits withheld during a period of suspension.

C. The board may, in its discretion, require that the member obtain an independent medical examination; provided that the examination is performed at the board's expense.

D. Upon a determination by the board, a member's status may be changed from permanently disabled to temporarily disabled or no longer disabled.