Bill would remove language on permissions for comp surgeries

Rhode Island lawmakers are considering legislation that would remove language in the state’s workers compensation law on requiring permission before major surgery.

H.B. 6461, introduced Wednesday, would amend state law on employers’ requirement to “promptly” provide medical services necessary “in order to cure, rehabilitate, or relieve the employee from the effects of an employee’s injury” by eliminating current language that states “no fee for major surgery shall be paid unless permission for it is first obtained from the workers compensation court, the employer, or the insurance carrier involved, except where compliance with it may prove fatal or detrimental to the employee.”

The bill, which was sent to the House Labor Committee, would also fine employers and insurers with claims related to hearing loss $100 for every day past 14 days that workers compensation payments are late.