Relates to the rates of payment for the treatment and care of injured employees

1 Co-sponsor

• Diane J. Savino

BILL NUMBER:S4559B

Title of bill

An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to the rates of payment for the treatment and care of injured employees; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose of bill

The bill would provide for the continuation of reimbursement for certain medical treatments under the workers compensation system in the event the federal government changes the codes associated with such treatments.

Summary of provisions

The bill would provide for the continuation of reimbursement to medical providers for certain kinds of medical care in the event that the federal government changes the codes for those medical treatments. The codes are in statute and would become moot if re-coded at the federal level. The bill would provide for continued use of the current codes until promulgation of the new codes. Reimbursement would then be linked to those new codes.

Justification

Back injuries are a common problem for injured employees seeking benefits from the Workers' Compensation program. For many diagnoses, spinal fusion surgery is the recommended treatment for such individuals and results in superior outcomes than other treatments. In most cases, the use of spinal implants is the preferable method of performing fusion surgery and has become the medical standard of care. From a financial standpoint, however, performing fusion surgery with implants involves a higher surgical cost, that cost is more than recouped in saving derived from a shorter hospital stay, more effective rehabilitation and better results. The ability of the patient to return to work sooner presents additional savings for employers and insurers with a Workers' Compensation injury or disability.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.