The bill aims to modify the employer's liability under the Workers' Compensation Law in Arkansas, specifically addressing the system of managed health care established by the Workers' Compensation Commission. Key amendments include the removal of the requirement for the commission to establish rules by a specific date and the introduction of a mandate for the commission to maintain a managed health care system. Additionally, the bill clarifies the rights of injured workers regarding their choice of treating physician, allowing them to be treated by their regular physician if they have an established doctor-patient relationship, and outlines the process for changing physicians, including the ability to petition for a change once per year.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions regarding independent medical exams, requiring employers to petition the commission for approval and to provide detailed information about the examiner and the purpose of the exam. It also ensures that all correspondence and reports related to the exam are shared with the claimant or their counsel, and grants claimants the right to depose the examiner, with specific responsibilities for payment of fees and expenses. These changes aim to enhance transparency and protect the rights of injured workers within the workers' compensation system.

Statutes affected:
SB 284: 11-9-508(c), 11-9-508