CT SB00061

Establishes that employers must provide medical, surgical, hospital, and nursing services for injured workers as deemed reasonable or necessary by a physician, with employers responsible for paying prescription drug costs directly to providers.

Requires blood-borne disease diagnostic, prophylactic, and treatment procedures be included in medical services for law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other specified first responders exposed to blood or bodily fluids in the line of duty.

Creates a two-tier liability system for hospital and ambulatory surgical center services: prior to 90 days after formulas are published, liability is based on actual hospital costs; after that date, liability is limited to Medicare reimbursement rates (when services are Medicare-covered) or amounts determined by the Workers' Compensation Commission chairman (when not Medicare-covered).

Requires the Workers' Compensation Commission chairman to establish and publish Medicare-based formulas by January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, in consultation with employers, insurers, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other relevant entities.

Permits injured employees to obtain medical services from an approved provider at employer expense if the employer fails to promptly provide required medical care or services.