Date: 02/08/2006
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1097
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR
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01:39 PM -- House Bill 06-1097
Representative M. Carroll, prime sponsor, explained that House Bill 1097, is a very different bill from the bill brought last session. She referenced a fifty state survey on injured employees' right to change workers' compensation physician prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment H). Representative M. Carroll talked about how Colorado's current system gives the employer, as a proxy for the insurance carrier, an absolute right to chose an injured worker's one and only provider in 100 percent of cases. She stated that House Bill 1097 bill contains a transfer mechanism, with cost control, so there is a mechanism for transfer of care for patients that have a problem with the care they are receiving. The transfer mechanism would allow injured workers, after 60 days, to submit a request for change of physician to a Level I or Level II accredited physician who consents to treatment under the fee schedule and treatment guidelines.
01:47 PM -- Cynthia Cleavland, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She explained that when she was injured on the job, she was unable to see another physician, after being misdiagnosed by a nurse practitioner. Ms. Cleavland mentioned that if House Bill 1097 was passed it would save time and money for everyone involved. The committee asked Ms. Cleavland questions pertaining to her right to file a medical malpractice suit, and when and how she asked for a change in physician. She responded that she told the nurse practitioner and asked her employer's workers compensation department.
01:52 PM
Representative Marshall, citing a lack of time to finish this bill before the next committee meeting started, laid over the bill to Monday, February 13.
01:53 PM
The committee adjourned.