What started out as an onerous set of restrictions and regulations for workers’ compensation-related independent medical examinations (IMEs) was amended to delay major changes until after a workgroup formulates guidance.

Amendments to SB 6440 removed a number of restrictive provisions such as:

• Department scheduling of self-insured IMEs;
• Limiting the number of IMEs; and
• Allowing the recoding of IMEs.

A workgroup will pick up these provisions in the interim and craft suggestions and recommendations for IMEs moving forward. AWC applauds this move as it provides an opportunity to have a substantive, rather than political, discussion regarding this complex topic.

Despite the favorable amendments, SB 6440 retains several challenging provisions including:

• A new definition of “new medical issue;”
• A limitation on no-show fees;
• A limitation of purposes for IMEs; and
• Requirements regarding “reasonably convenient” locations and telemedicine.

AWC will continue to monitor this bill and work with legislators to limit any additional unfavorable changes.

Dates to remember

SB 6440 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 24.