Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.
Impact
The legislation establishes clear and objective standards that aim to reduce disputes and litigation regarding medication access, thereby preserving administrative efficiency within the workers' compensation system. By allowing claimants more freedom to choose their pharmacies, the bill intends to enhance medication access and ensure that injured workers receive their treatments promptly. It also maintains the Workers' Compensation Board's authority to adapt to evolving healthcare practices relating to medication delivery.
Summary
Bill A10413 aims to amend the workers' compensation law to ensure timely access to necessary prescription medications for injured workers. It addresses concerns over delays in medication authorization and dispensing that could lead to increased pain, medical complications, and costs in the healthcare system. The bill seeks to codify existing regulations from the Workers' Compensation Board that allow injured workers to obtain medications from out-of-network pharmacies when contracted ones fail to provide the medication within stipulated timeframes.
Contention
While the bill garners support for enabling better access to prescription medications, there may be points of contention regarding the financial implications for employers and insurance carriers, who may face increased costs due to mandated access to out-of-network pharmacies. Concerns may also arise about the potentially expanding authority of the Workers' Compensation Board in matters concerning pharmacy regulations and how those regulations might interact with pre-existing laws and standards in the healthcare sector.
Same As
Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.
Codifies certain regulations of the workers' compensation board relating to access to prescription medication and coordination with workers' compensation board regulations governing network pharmacy use; requires the workers' compensation board to file a report on out-of-network pharmacy use within 3 years of the effective date.
Includes delivery network company workers in the definition of "employee" for purposes of workers' compensation; provides that the employer of a network company deliver worker shall be a delivery network company.
Includes delivery network company workers in the definition of "employee" for purposes of workers' compensation; provides that the employer of a network company deliver worker shall be a delivery network company.
Establishes a fraud assessment commission; directs the chair of the workers' compensation board, in consultation with the workers' compensation fraud inspector general and the fraud assessment commission, to establish an assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations to fund the investigation and prosecution of workers' compensation fraud, willful failure to secure payment of workers' compensation, and failure to keep true and accurate records; establishes the workers' compensation fraud investigation fund in the joint custody of the chair of the workers' compensation board, the commissioner of labor, and the comptroller, which shall consist of monies received from the imposition of the assessment for workers' compensation fraud investigations.