ND HB1052

Employees may seek medical treatment only from their employer's selected preferred provider during the first 30 days after a work injury, except for emergency care or care the employee reasonably did not know was work-related.

Employees may elect to use a different provider by notifying the employer in writing before an injury occurs, or request a provider change at least 30 days after the injury.

Employers may object to a requested provider change within 5 days, and the workers' compensation organization must rule on the request within 15 days of receiving the employee's response or the response deadline, with failure to rule constituting approval.

Employers must provide written notice of their preferred provider selection and program terms to employees at initial selection, when changes occur, at hiring, and at least annually thereafter.

Failure to give written notice, properly post notice, or reasonably inform employees of the preferred provider program terms invalidates the selection, allowing employees to choose their own medical provider for their claim.