Relates to authorization of treatment under workers' compensation for care and treatment of injured employees by podiatrists, chiropractors and psychologists; repeals certain provisions.
Summary
S08240 amends the New York Workers’ Compensation Law to streamline how certain non-physician providers are authorized to treat injured workers. The bill focuses on podiatrists, chiropractors, and psychologists, updating sections 13-k, 13-l, and 13-m to remove older “practice committee” structures and replace them with a process centered on the Workers’ Compensation Board chair and existing professional associations. It also makes conforming language changes, including gender-neutral terminology and replacing outdated references such as “workmen’s compensation” with “workers’ compensation.”
For podiatrists, chiropractors, and psychologists, the bill preserves the basic framework allowing injured employees to choose an authorized provider for covered care, while directing the chair to establish fee schedules and promulgate rules. It repeals multiple subdivisions in those sections that previously created practice committees and related procedures, and it directs that removal of authorized providers be handled under section 13-d of the article. The act takes effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would materially revise the administrative structure governing authorization and oversight of podiatric, chiropractic, and psychological treatment under workers’ compensation. It eliminates several statutory provisions that created specialty practice committees and related consultation requirements, and instead relies on the chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board plus input from the New York State Podiatric Medical Association, New York State Chiropractic Association, and New York State Psychological Association when setting fee schedules. The change affects providers, injured workers, employers, insurers, and the Workers’ Compensation Board by simplifying authorization and removal procedures and consolidating rulemaking authority.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was generally well received in the Senate. It passed the Senate Rules Committee 18-1 and the full Senate 52-6, indicating broad support with limited opposition. No committee transcript is available, but the strong margins suggest the measure was viewed as a technical or administrative modernization rather than a highly controversial policy shift.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be the removal of the existing specialty practice committees and the associated statutory consultation framework. Opponents may have been concerned about reducing formal professional oversight or changing how provider standards and fee schedules are developed, while supporters likely favored a simpler, more direct process administered by the Workers’ Compensation Board. The bill also shifts from committee-based recommendations to association-based input, which may raise questions about representation and influence among professional groups versus the state board.
Authorizes certain injured employees or their legal representative to claim workers' compensation or to maintain an action in the courts for damages on account of such injury when the commissioner of labor fails to act within a certain time frame for certain violations.
A bill for an act relating to the choice of doctor to treat injured employees under workers' compensation laws and including effective date and applicability provisions.
Allows camp employees to administer medications and treatment to children, under parent or guardian consent and authorization, pursuant to a patient specific order and in compliance with regulations.