Senate Bill No. introduced by G. Hertz aims to revise the definition of "treating physician" within Montana's Workers' Compensation Act to explicitly include physical therapists. The bill amends Section 39-71-116 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to expand the list of qualified medical professionals who can serve as treating physicians. The new definition will now encompass physical therapists licensed under Title 37, chapter 11, alongside existing categories such as physicians, chiropractors, physician assistants, osteopaths, dentists, and advanced practice registered nurses.

The bill also makes a minor adjustment to the language regarding out-of-state treating physicians, clarifying that they must be licensed or certified in another state. This change is intended to ensure that workers have access to a broader range of medical professionals for their treatment needs, potentially improving their recovery outcomes and overall care in the context of workers' compensation claims.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-71-116
SB0109_1(1): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(2): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(3): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(4): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(5): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(6): 39-71-116
SB0109_1(7): 39-71-116
SB0109_1: 39-71-116