R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-30-13: Controversies submitted to court.

(a) Any controversy over which the workers’ compensation court has jurisdiction in accordance with chapters 29 — 38 and chapter 53 of this title, including compensation; reasonableness of medical and hospital bills; degree of functional impairment and/or disability; a dispute between an insurance carrier and an employer under a workers’ compensation insurance contract, except disputes under the jurisdiction of the workers’ compensation appeals board established pursuant to § 27-9-29; failure of an employer to secure the payment of compensation under chapters 29 — 38 and chapter 53 of this title and any controversy in which the state or any of its political subdivisions is a party; and appeals from an order of the retirement board pursuant to § 45-21.2-9 shall be submitted to the court in the manner provided in chapters 33 and 35 of this title.

(b) Disputes between an insurance carrier and an employer under a workers’ compensation insurance contract shall not be subject to a pretrial conference in accordance with § 28-35-20, but shall be assigned consistent with the rules of practice of the workers’ compensation court.