It appears any potential fix to the State’s broken MPN system has been put on hold for the foreseeable future. AB1465, a bill submitted by Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes, which was initially designed to require the Division of Workers’ Compensation to implement a statewide MPN medical provider network by June 30, 2022, has been modified from its original version to now only require the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation to complete a “study” by January 1, 2023 to compare and contrast claims treated in and outside of the MPN’s. The original purpose of AB1465 was to provide injured workers with another option of potential treaters who are ready, willing and able to treat work injuries rather than simply the employer’s MPN, which is most often stacked with physicians who either will not treat at all or will only agree to treat under very limited circumstances. With this most recent modification of the bill, it now appears injured workers will be stuck with the MPN system as it stands for the foreseeable future. That is unfortunate given the roadblocks to medical treatment, which have plagued the system since the inception of the employer-controlled medical provider networks, employer-controlled utilization review, and insurance and employer-controlled independent medical review, all of which have unnecessarily prolonged injured workers’ recovery and delay the timely resolution of most injured worker’s claims.

Now more than ever it is critical to have a certified specialist in the field of Workers’ Compensation to help an injured worker navigate through the minefield of medical treatment delays and denials of care which are inevitable. We at Baziak & Steevens have been guiding injured workers through this often complex system for over 40 years. For a free consultation regarding the particulars of your case, call or email Baziak & Steevens today.