CT SB00986

Employers cannot discontinue, reduce, or deny medical treatment deemed reasonable by a physician without written approval from the Workers' Compensation Commissioner after notifying the commissioner, physician, and employee.

Employers must issue notice of intent to discontinue, reduce, or deny treatment within five days of receiving a notice of needed treatment, and affected parties have 15 days to request a hearing before any discontinuance becomes effective.

Notice must include a physician's opinion stating the recommended treatment is not reasonable or necessary, or alternatively, details of a scheduled independent medical examination to be held within two weeks of the employee receiving notice.

Employers bear the burden of proof that the medical care is unreasonable, and the commissioner cannot approve discontinuance until after the 15-day hearing request period expires or a hearing concludes, whichever is later.

When physician disagreement concerns which course of care is better rather than whether care is reasonable, the employee retains the right to choose the course of care after informed consent.