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Workers' Comp board endorses expanding authorized providers and online modernization to speed care
Summary
The state Workers' Compensation Board backed a set of proposals in the governor—s budget to broaden provider participation, raise medical fee schedules, and modernize filing and hearing systems to reduce delays and expand injured workers' access to care.
Clarissa Rodriguez, chair of the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, outlined a set of proposals from Governor Hochul—s executive budget and the board—s administrative initiatives intended to make medical care more accessible for injured workers. "Universal authorization will enable injured workers to see any licensed healthcare provider who is willing to treat them, including their own primary care provider," Rodriguez said, explaining a proposed change that would allow all eligible licensed providers to treat workers' compensation patients without separate board authorization.
Rodriguez also described changes to allow residents and fellows to treat patients under supervision and a proposal to amend insurance law to require health insurers to pay for care while workers' compensation disputes are resolved, with subsequent reimbursement if a workers' compensation claim is ultimately compensable. The board is also increasing medical fee schedules so that workers' compensation rates are consistently higher than Medicare and more comparable to regular health insurance, the chair said.
Board modernization: Chair Rodriguez described a multiyear business modernization program (OnBoard) that has converted prior authorization requests to an online system, launched eforms for claimant attorneys, expanded case indexing, and increased judge headcount (noting over 100 judges, up from 75 two years ago). The board said these operational changes have reduced time to schedule hearings and expedited prior authorizations.
Why it matters: The board reported that only about 10% of licensed medical providers in the state are currently authorized to treat workers' compensation claimants. The proposed reforms aim to expand provider participation, reduce administrative burden, and expedite both care and dispute resolution. Chair Rodriguez and legislators agreed that implementation details, training for providers and oversight of payment flows will be critical to success.
Ending: The board asked lawmakers to advance enabling language so that these administrative changes and modernization investments can go forward. Lawmakers pressed for more detail on fee schedule updates, effects on carriers, and safeguards to prevent payment disputes from blocking access to care.
