An Oklahoma Senate bill would update workers' compensation guidelines by requiring physicians to adhere to nationally recognized treatment guidelines and limiting when an injured worker can change from the physician chosen by his or her employer, according to a NewsOK report.
The provisions included in Senate Bill 878 include:
• Requiring physicians and the workers' compensation court to adhere to nationally recognized treatment guidelines, with the intent of limiting unnecessary surgeries and cutting costs.
• Directing the workers' compensation court administrator to develop a schedule of medical and hospital fees that would reduce the cost of medical care by 5 percent.
• Limiting when an injured worker can change from the treating physician chosen by the employer. The employer would have an automatic right to a second opinion to determine the necessity of surgery if surgery is recommended.
• Eliminating a penalty for employers who delay payment of medical bills in good faith during bill audits.
• Requiring physicians to disclose ownership in other health-related businesses, hospital facilities or diagnostic centers.
• Expanding a counselor or mediation program.
• Requiring employers to provide medical care within seven days, and fining employers who do not pay medical bills promptly.
Read the NewsOK report on Oklahoma workers' comp.
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The provisions included in Senate Bill 878 include:
• Requiring physicians and the workers' compensation court to adhere to nationally recognized treatment guidelines, with the intent of limiting unnecessary surgeries and cutting costs.
• Directing the workers' compensation court administrator to develop a schedule of medical and hospital fees that would reduce the cost of medical care by 5 percent.
• Limiting when an injured worker can change from the treating physician chosen by the employer. The employer would have an automatic right to a second opinion to determine the necessity of surgery if surgery is recommended.
• Eliminating a penalty for employers who delay payment of medical bills in good faith during bill audits.
• Requiring physicians to disclose ownership in other health-related businesses, hospital facilities or diagnostic centers.
• Expanding a counselor or mediation program.
• Requiring employers to provide medical care within seven days, and fining employers who do not pay medical bills promptly.
Read the NewsOK report on Oklahoma workers' comp.
Related Articles on Workers' Comp:
States Propose Legislation to Alter, Scrap Workers' Comp
Spine Surgeons and Workers' Compensation: 5 Things to Know