Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a series of legislative proposals aimed at expanding access to medical treatment for injured workers in New York State. The measures, part of her 2025 State of the State agenda, would allow all eligible healthcare providers to treat workers’ compensation claimants without requiring authorization from the state’s Workers’ Compensation Board.
“New Yorkers who are injured or become ill on the job need more options for care,” Hochul said. “My proposals do just that, giving injured workers freedom to see the providers they want, including their own primary care providers whom they already know and trust.”
Under current law, only providers who are specifically authorized by the Workers’ Compensation Board can treat injured workers, a requirement that has significantly limited access to care. Hochul’s plan would automatically grant authorization to all licensed healthcare providers, eliminating the bureaucratic hurdle that has prevented many from participating in the system.
A second proposal would allow resident and fellow physicians to treat injured workers under supervision, expanding the pool of available providers at New York’s top academic hospitals. The changes are expected to reduce travel times for treatment, as 40% of injured workers currently must seek care outside their home counties, often traveling over 35 miles for an appointment.
The plan also includes financial and procedural reforms to improve provider participation and ensure injured workers receive prompt treatment. These include:
- Higher reimbursement rates: An increase in workers’ compensation fee schedules to make provider payments more competitive with private insurance rates.
- Interim insurance coverage: Health insurers would be required to cover medical expenses for injured workers while their workers’ compensation claims are under dispute, preventing delays in treatment.
- Faster claim approvals: Workers’ compensation insurers would be allowed to pay for medical treatment for up to one year without accepting full liability. If a claim remains uncontested after that period, it would automatically be accepted.
New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Clarissa Rodriguez called the proposals “a win-win-win” for workers, providers, and employers. Occupational medicine experts and worker advocacy groups have also voiced strong support, highlighting the potential for faster recovery times and improved health outcomes.
The proposals build on Hochul’s broader efforts to streamline the workers’ compensation system. Recent changes have included eliminating custom forms, introducing a universal billing form, and launching an online system for billing disputes. With these latest reforms, the governor aims to ensure that New York’s injured workers can access the timely and high-quality care they deserve.
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