HI HB88

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 386-79 to require that examining physicians in workers' compensation cases be mutually selected by the employer and employee, or appointed by the Director of Labor if parties cannot agree.

Requires the employer to notify the injured employee in writing at least five working days before the examination and promptly provide the employee with a copy of the examination report.

Permits examinations only when the employee has filed a claim, and limits examinations to one independent medical examination and one permanent impairment rating examination per case unless valid medical reasons exist for additional examinations.

Prohibits combining independent medical examinations and permanent impairment rating examinations into a single examination without the employee's written consent.

Maintains employee rights to have a physician or chaperone present during examinations and to record the examination, and specifies examination costs shall be limited to complex consultation charges under the medical fee schedule.