Senate Bill No. 162, introduced by Senator Seabaugh, amends the workers' compensation medical treatment schedule under R.S. 23:1203.1(K). The bill establishes that any party who disagrees with a decision made by the medical director or associate medical director can appeal by filing a "Disputed Claim for Compensation" (LWC Form 1008) within 45 days of the decision. The bill specifies that the decision can only be overturned if there is clear and convincing evidence that it was not in accordance with the law.

A significant change introduced by this bill is that only the evidence reviewed by the medical director or associate medical director will be admissible in support of or in opposition to the Disputed Claim for Compensation during the appeal process. This amendment aims to streamline the appeals process and ensure that decisions are based solely on the evidence considered by the medical authorities involved. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB162 Original: 23:1(K)