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Policy Matters
The latest legislative and regulatory activity that impacts you and the services we provide
Policy Matters Brief - March 20, 2025
March 20, 2025 · Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs Team
Alaska Workers’ Compensation Commission increases mileage reimbursement
On February 20, the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Commission announced a revision to their Privately Owned Vehicle Mileage Rates (POV).
More information can be found here.
Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC) updates Rule 11: Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME)
The Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation (DOWC) recently adopted an update to its Rule 11: Division Independent Medical Examination (DIME) effective April 1, 2025. The changes to Rule 11 will improve the efficiency of the DIME process and retain DIME physicians.
More information can be found here.
Idaho Industrial Commission amends existing law to add definition of "member of an employer's family"
The amendment moves the definition of "member of an employer's family from a subsection of Idaho Code 72-212 relating to an exemption from coverage into the definition section of Idaho Code 72-102, which applies to workers' compensation sections of Title 72, Idaho Code. The transferring of this definition ensures consistency in how the definition is referenced and applied. This amendment is effective July 1, 2025.
More information can be found here.
New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Commission readopts rules for horse racing industry employees
On January 23, the New Jersey Horse Racing Injury Compensation Board reviewed its rules and has determined them to be “necessary, reasonable, and proper for the purpose for which they were originally promulgated. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:15-129 et seq., and in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14B-5.1, the rules were readopted without change and shall continue in effect for a seven-year period.”
New York Governor announces Workers’ Compensation system improvements
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced reforms for the workers’ compensation system to improve the delivery of healthcare to injured workers. One such proposed reform modifies how providers are permitted to treat injured workers, thus increasing the number of providers within the system. Another proposed modification would allow licensed New York providers to treat injured workers without requiring additional authorization from the Workers’ Compensation Board.
More information on these proposed changes can be found here.
More information can be found here.
Governor signs workers’ compensation work-place stress legislation
Governor Hochul also signed legislation that would permit claims for mental injuries resulting from work-related stress. Assembly Bill 1677 and Senate Bill 755 would prohibit the Workers’ Compensation Board from disallowing claims by covered employees upon a factual finding that the stress of the job was not greater than what usually occurs in normal work environments where claims for PTSD, acute stress disorder, or major depressive disorder resulting from work-related stress are filed upon submission of medical evidence. Covered employees must demonstrate that these types of disorders arose out of the extraordinary work-related stress attributable to a distinct work-related event or events directly related to the employment occurring during the performance of the employee’s job duties.
Information on the bill(s) can be found here.
Oregon Workers’ Compensation Commission issues permanent rules for its Medical Rules and Fee Schedules
The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division (WCD) published its permanent rules governing medical fees/payments, medical services, and managed care organizations (MCOs), effective April 1, 2025. The most relevant changes include updated procedure coding and fees for medical and ancillary services. Additional changes include revised language and formatting for required notices of the right to appeal or administrative review in EOBs sent to providers and MCO updated dispute resolution language.
More information can be found here.
Virginia General Assembly proposes to update health care records requirements and presumptions for throat cancer
Virginia General Assembly House Bill 1629 directs health care providers to furnish one free copy of a patient's medical records stored or maintained in an electronic health record per calendar year if requested by a patient or their attorney. The bill awaits action from Governor Glenn Youngkin.
More information can be found here.
The House also amended HB 1933, Workers' compensation; presumption as to death or disability from throat cancer. The bill, which would apply only to diseases diagnosed on or after July 1, 2025, covers cancers that form in the pharynx, larynx, adenoid, tonsil, esophagus, trachea, nasopharynx, oropharynx, or hypopharynx.
More information can be found here.
Additional Optum resources: For more information on these policy developments and others we have been tracking this year, be sure to visit our Legislative and Regulatory Tracker. Bills or regulations can be filtered by insurance line, topic, status and jurisdiction. If you have questions on these or any other public policy developments, please contact our team at OptumWC.PolicyMatters@optum.com. |
