Senate Bill No. by Senator Seabaugh seeks to amend R.S. 23:1034.2, focusing on the reimbursement schedule for medical charges related to workers' compensation claims. The bill mandates that the assistant secretary of the office of workers' compensation administration establish and update a reimbursement schedule for medical services, drugs, and supplies at least every two years. It introduces a structured process for resolving disputes over reimbursement amounts, including the appointment of a qualified reimbursement hearing officer and the establishment of an independent medical bill reviewer to mediate disputes between healthcare providers and payors.

Key changes include the renaming of the "Workers' Compensation Act" to "Workers' Compensation Law" and the introduction of guidelines for reimbursement calculations based on relative value units (RVUs) and geographic practice cost indices. The bill also requires that any excess fees charged by healthcare providers be agreed upon in writing prior to service delivery. It retains existing provisions regarding dental service reimbursements, capping them at the 70th percentile according to the National Dental Advisory Service Comprehensive Fee Report. The new provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and will apply to charges incurred under the chapter on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
SB213 Original: