Workers’ Comp Medical Cost Bill Still Work in Process

In the final days of the 2014 legislative session, negotiations continue on an effort to establish workers’ compensation medical charges for inpatient and outpatient services that are fair and equitable in the treatment of work-related injuries or illnesses.

SB 61, which has received bipartisan support this year, authorizes the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission to establish a pre-determined fee schedule for the cost of workers’ comp medical services or procedures.

The idea is to provide a reasonable and fair way to arrive at workers’ compensation medical charges. Connecticut already has a Medicare-based fee schedule for all providers except hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Currently, 41 other states use a medical fee schedule for those facilities to keep their costs fair.

As Time magazine reported extensively last year, medical facilities routinely charge far more–often 10 times more—than it actually costs to provide their services. 

While final details are being worked out, the object of SB 61– to help prevent workers’ compensation medical costs from skyrocketing in Connecticut and ensure that workers' compensation commissioners are not unnecessarily diverted away from resolving employee and employer disputes—is still critically important.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Bonnie Stewart at 860.244.1925 | bonnie.stewart@cbia.com |@CBIAbonnie