A bill that would drive up costs to employers and delay care for injured workers is currently advancing in the state legislature.
House Bill 1300 would expand the number of physicians that injured workers are able to choose from four to over 1,000. The bill also vastly extends the timeline on changes of physicians, which could potentially delay diagnosis or treatment for an injured worker. These impacts will lead to long delays and inconsistency of medical care while increasing litigation and cost to employers.
The Colorado Chamber played a key role in negotiations over physician choice over a decade ago, which led to an agreement between labor and business groups to expand the number of physicians from two to four, among other changes. The business community believes that the 2014 deal strikes an appropriate balance, allowing for flexibility when choosing a doctor while preventing abuse of the system. Any future changes to the workers compensation should be carefully considered and negotiated – not rushed in a late-session bill without adequate feedback from employers.
HB 1300 threatens to undermine the delivery of timely medical benefits to workers, harms injured employees and increases costs to employers.
Please tell members of the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee to OPPOSE HB 1300 when it is heard on April 24.