Panel renews workers' compensation provider accreditation program, expands Level 1 eligibility and moves bill to appropriations

The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee voted 6–1 on Oct. 12 to send Senate Bill 186 to the Appropriations Committee with a favorable recommendation. The bill would extend the workers’ compensation provider accreditation program for 11 years and allow any health-care provider regulated by the Division of Professions and Occupations to obtain Level 1 accreditation; Level 2 accreditation remains limited to MDs and DOs for impairment ratings.

Sponsor testimony said expanding Level 1 will increase the number of providers who understand how to operate inside the workers’ compensation system, improving access to timely care for injured workers. Sponsors estimated the expansion would reach roughly 50,000 providers (up from about 18,000 currently eligible) and require roughly two additional full-time staff in the Division of Workers’ Compensation to administer the program.

Paul Toriello, director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, testified that his office and the Department of Regulatory Agencies supported the program review and recommendations behind the bill and made staff available to answer questions. Sponsors said the change is intended to address provider shortages and make it easier for workers to obtain appropriate care through the system.

With the committee’s favorable recommendation, the bill now proceeds to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.