Arizona Senate passes fee schedule, dependent benefit bill

The Arizona Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would recast statutory provisions directing the state’s Industrial Commission to adopt a fee schedule for medical services provided to injured workers.

Senate Bill 1551 would also increase the dependents’ allowance for temporary total disability benefits and revise the definition of “interested party.” The Senate passed the measure 24-3.

The bill would amend the definition of “interested party” to include a third-party administrator or an authorized representative of an insurer in cases where the injured worker has died.

The bill would also require a schedule of fees “to be charged for medical care, dental care and supplies,” replacing language that calls for a schedule of fees “to be charged by physicians, physical therapists or occupational therapists.”

The bill would also increase the add-on to temporary total disability benefits paid to injured workers with one or more dependents to $100 from $25. The additional allowance is a flat rate and not based on the number of dependents.

SB 1551 now moves to the state House of Representatives.