HF2253 Summary

• Increases minimum weekly temporary total disability compensation to 20% of the maximum weekly amount (effective October 1, 2021), replacing the prior $130 minimum.

• Establishes $1,000 penalties per violation for health care providers who collect or attempt to collect payment from employees for workers' compensation injuries, with $2,000 penalties for engaging collection agencies, filing court claims, or damaging credit; requires written notice to providers before penalties apply.

• Modifies hospital inpatient payment methodology to transition from Medicare PC-Pricer program to inpatient PPS Web Pricer effective October 1, 2021, maintaining 200% of Medicare MS-DRG amounts.

• Adds two new prohibited insurer conduct violations: providing fraudulent written information and failing to pay claims or correct behavior after a penalty has been paid or become final; establishes tiered penalties up to $6,000 per violation.

• Extends COVID-19 workers' compensation presumption deadline from May 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, for employees with injury dates on or after January 1, 2022.