AR SB284

Injured workers gain the right to be treated by their regular treating physician with whom they have an established doctor-patient relationship, rather than only the employer-chosen physician, provided that physician agrees to comply with commission rules and fee schedules.

Employees may petition for a change of treating physician once per year (in addition to the initial change to their regular physician), and may obtain one change of specialist physician per year for each relevant specialty.

Employers must petition the Workers' Compensation Commission for approval before conducting any independent medical exam, including disclosure of the examiner's identity, credentials, fees, and stated purpose.

All records, reports, and correspondence provided to independent medical examiners must be simultaneously furnished to the claimant or claimant's counsel, and exam results must be promptly shared with claimants.

Claimants have the right to depose independent medical examiners, with the claimant responsible for witness fees (at commission-specified rates) and court reporter expenses.