Work related injures may require different types of treatment and therapy including chiropractic care. the New York Senate Labor Committee’s Chairwoman, Diane Savino, recently filed legislation which would subsequently allow injured workers to have equivalent access through workers compensation to both medical doctors and chiropractors.

 

Savino filed Senate 3681, legislation that requires insurance carriers to allow injured workers to access chiropractors when necessary for treating workplace injuries in New York. Her bill will require that chiropractic fees be equaled to fees approved by the New York State Worker’s Compensation Board. If the bill is passed workers compensation policy coverage providing payment for physician services outside of managed care coverage would also need to pay for the fees charged for chiropractic services.

 

Preferred provider networks would also need to ensure there were an adequate amount of chiropractic providers within a specific geographic region so injured workers would have reasonable access to that treatment as they would to physician treatment in the same area.

 

To date, Savino’s bill has not been set for a hearing. The Senate 3681 legislation can be read here.