Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workers Comp Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Workers27 Compensation Board outlines proposals to expand provider access and speed care
Summary
Workers' Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez told the fiscal committees that the governor's plan would "universally authorize" licensed providers to treat workers' compensation patients, expand telehealth and the board's fee schedule, and modernize paper workflows — steps the board says will increase provider participation and speed care.
Clarissa Rodriguez, chair of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, outlined a package of changes the governor has proposed and administrative steps the board has taken to modernize the workers' compensation system.
What the board proposed: Rodriguez said the governor wants to "universally authorize all eligible licensed healthcare providers in good standing to treat workers' compensation patients," which would let injured workers see their own primary care providers and academic hospital clinicians without the current prior authorization barriers. She also described proposals to increase the board27s medical fee schedule so rates are consistently higher than Medicare and in line with commercial health insurance, to allow certain payment for care during disputes, and to codify insurer reimbursement rules discussed in a 2006 DFS opinion.
Administrative modernization: The board reported it is implementing a multiyear "onboard" electronic modernization to replace paper workflows, launched e-forms for attorneys to request hearings, and moved prior authorization requests online. The chair said the board has increased judges from 75 to over 100 in two years and has reduced hearing times by more than 30% in part through workflow and staffing changes.
Funding and employer impact: Rodriguez said benefit rates for injured workers are rising (minimum weekly comp increased to $325 as of January; other benefit indexing proposals were noted) and that a recent assessment-rate reduction should save businesses roughly $191 million. She said the governor27s proposals would increase provider participation and reduce delays, but implementation will require continued collaboration with the medical community and legislative action for statutory changes.
Outstanding questions: Legislators and provider groups raised concerns about administrative burden, billing delays and whether expanding provider rolls without simplifying forms and payment processes would actually improve care access. The board said it is reducing forms, moving to a universal billing form and implementing medical portals, and invited providers to work with the board on practical changes.
