Bill > SB189

This bill modifies Kansas workers' compensation law to give injured employees more freedom in choosing their healthcare provider while ensuring employers cover the cost of those services. The key changes include removing previous restrictions that required employers to submit a list of healthcare providers from which an employee could choose, and instead allowing employees to directly designate their own healthcare provider. The bill also clarifies the employer's obligations for medical treatment, establishing guidelines for when medical benefits may be terminated or modified. Specifically, the bill creates a presumption that medical treatment ends when an employee reaches maximum medical improvement, but allows for exceptions in cases of invasive procedures or when clear evidence demonstrates ongoing medical needs. The legislation maintains protections for certain high-risk professions like law enforcement and emergency medical service providers, who are guaranteed preventive medical care for conditions like hepatitis contracted through work. Additionally, the bill modifies procedural aspects of post-award medical benefit hearings, setting specific parameters for how such hearings should be conducted and how medical benefits can be reviewed or adjusted over time. These changes aim to provide injured workers with more autonomy in their medical care while maintaining a structured approach to workers' compensation medical benefits.

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https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb189/