Bill would allow injured workers to choose physicians

The Colorado Senate has passed a bill that would give injured workers control over their choice of primary treating physician.

S.B. 197 passed the Senate on Tuesday in a 19-16 vote. The bill would allow injured workers to choose from any doctor accredited as Level I or Level II under the Colorado Medical Practice Act. Under current law, employers select four physicians and/or corporate medical providers for the injured worker to choose from for treatment.

The legislation would also require employers to notify any worker who sustained an on-the-job injury within seven business days of notification of the injury of the workers’ right to designate a treating physician and how to access the list of Level I and II physicians.

If the employee declines to choose a physician from the Level I or Level II list within seven days, the employer retains the right to designate a treating physician.