AR SB288

Amends Arkansas Code § 11-9-514(a) to expand injured workers' rights to change physicians under workers' compensation when the employer selects the initial physician

Allows injured employees to petition the Workers' Compensation Commission once for a change of regular physician, with the commission determining the second physician

Adds new annual right for injured employees to petition for a change to another physician or appropriate specialist associated with a commission-certified managed care entity

Permits one change of specialist per year for each relevant specialty, recognizing that injured employees may require treatment from multiple specialists

Removes provisions related to the Arkansas managed care system under § 11-9-508 that would have made earlier change-of-physician rules null and void