BILL
SUBJECT
DATE
This bill would amend sections of Workers' Compensation Law to permit all eligible, licensed New York State medical providers in good standing to treat workers' compensation patients. The Business Council of New York State, on behalf of its 3,200 members, supports this proposed legislation.
This proposal would amend and repeal certain sections of the Workers' Compensation Law, to allow any licensed acupuncturist, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, physical therapist, physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, psychologist, or social worker to treat workers' compensation patients, unless that provider is on the exclusion list. The exclusion list would include providers who are currently disqualified from rendering care or performing independent medical examinations and will be published and maintained by the Board. Currently, only about 10 percent of eligible providers in the State are authorized to treat these claims, leading to appointment delays and longer travel distances for care. Cutting this red tape will open the door for thousands more primary care providers and specialists who can help people heal and get back to work faster.
Eliminating the barriers to provide participation in the NY State workers' compensation system would mean injured workers would have more choices for treatment, including the ability to receive treatment from their own primary care physician. The physicians are most familiar with the injured worker's medical history and often have a trusted doctor-patient relationship. This trusted relationship is critical especially if a worker sustains a life-changing injury.
We have faith in the Workers' Compensation Board's ability to communicate to these new providers the requirements and treatment standards long established by the Board to ensure effective treatment and payment.
For these reasons, The Business Council, on behalf of its members, support this legislation.