SB13-285 Summary

• Requires employers or insurance carriers to reimburse injured workers or their insurers for reasonable and necessary medical treatment costs when a claim is admitted or found compensable, except in cases of fraud.

• Mandates reimbursement of full amounts paid by claimants for compensable medical treatment exceeding the workers' compensation fee schedule, with carriers entitled to seek reimbursement from providers for amounts above the fee schedule.

• Requires employers or carriers to recalculate average weekly wage within 15 days of receiving notice that a fringe benefit has been terminated, with interest accruing from the termination date.

• Mandates temporary partial disability payments occur at least once every two weeks and requires claim files to be provided to claimants within 15 days of written request, including all medical records, investigations, and wage information.

• Increases the minimum time period from 18 to 24 months before an employer can request an independent medical examiner to dispute a physician's maximum medical improvement determination.