House Bill No. by Representative Echols aims to amend the existing workers' compensation law by establishing a medical fee reimbursement schedule. The bill mandates that the assistant secretary of the office of workers' compensation administration create and implement this schedule for various medical services, treatments, and supplies. The reimbursement rates must be reasonable in comparison to those of surrounding states and should be adjusted annually based on data collected. The assistant secretary is also tasked with examining ways to streamline processes for healthcare providers and ensuring that the reimbursement schedule is informed by input from external stakeholders.

Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for the office of workers' compensation to report quarterly to the House and Senate committees on labor and industrial relations, providing legislative oversight of the reimbursement process. The initial reimbursement schedule is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The proposed changes include the deletion of certain outdated language and the insertion of new provisions that enhance the assistant secretary's responsibilities and the overall transparency of the reimbursement process.

Statutes affected:
HB357 Original: 23:2(A)