Bill would let several licensed providers lead injured workers’ care

Several types of licensed health professionals would qualify as attending physicians, meaning providers who lead a worker’s injury care. The definition would include nurse practitioners, physician associates, chiropractors, and naturopathic doctors treating work injuries covered by workers’ compensation. Providers would need the listed licenses and would have to work within those licenses. Managed care contracts could set different rules about who may lead care. Unless another rule in the workers’ compensation law applies, only a qualified provider leading care when the claim closes could assess lasting loss of body function for disability benefits.

State-certified care networks for injured workers could not exclude local providers willing to meet all network rules, terms, and conditions. This requirement would cover providers within each network’s service area. Other laws would still apply, including rules about who may serve on a hospital’s medical staff. Networks would need methods to exclude providers who violate treatment standards.