Good Morning
On behalf of the NJ IARP Conference Committee, we wanted to make you aware of a bill that has been proposed in the New Jersey State Senate.
Senate Bill 3375 represents an attempt by petitioner counsel groups to further chip away at an employer’s right to control medical treatment in connection with NJ Workers’ Compensation.
The bill would require the following:
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Employers to designate authorized treating providers early on in the claim process.
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Changes to the medical provider would require a Judge approval
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Requires insurance adjusters, nurse case managers and employer legal counsel to contemporaneously disclose all written or verbal communication with authorized treating providers to claimants or their legal representative, without a reciprocal requirement on claimants or their counsel.
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Requires claimant consent to the use of nurse case managers
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Enables Petitioners Counsel to block the assignment of a nurse case manager to the file even if the injured worker has no objection
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Raises the potential fees for petitioner medical experts, as well as petitioner counsel fees