NY S02138

Adds "massage therapist" to the definition of "provider" under workers' compensation law, allowing licensed massage therapists to provide treatment to injured employees.

Requires massage therapists to be licensed and have completed formal coursework and passed an examination in accordance with New York education law and Board of Regents requirements.

Allows authorized physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, or nurse practitioners to prescribe or refer injured employees to massage therapists for treatment, subject to conditions the therapist is authorized to treat under education law.

Requires massage therapists to maintain and submit patient records and treatment instructions to the chair on forms and timelines established by the chair.

Specifies that massage therapist records, reports, or opinions cannot be used as evidence of work-relatedness, disability, or degree of disability in workers' compensation claims.

Takes effect 30 days after becoming law.