This legislation aims to enhance the current framework of the workers' compensation system by clarifying treatment protocols and confirming the role of medical guidelines in determining the care necessary for injured workers. An existing limitation, which allows for no more than 24 visits each for chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical therapy per industrial injury, is retained unless additional visits are authorized by the employer. This modification represents a key change that seeks to balance treatment efficacy with reimbursement considerations.
AB2014, introduced by Assembly Member Salas, seeks to amend Section 4604.5 of the Labor Code concerning the workers' compensation system in California. The bill establishes the intent of the Legislature to address the ongoing opioid crisis and proposes technical changes to improve the efficacy of existing workers' compensation regulations. Notably, it insists that the recommended medical treatment guidelines shall be seen as presumptively correct, but this can be contested if sufficient scientific medical evidence supports the need for varied treatment approaches to relieve the injured worker from the effects of their injury.
Points of contention regarding AB2014 may arise from its implications for treatment accessibility and the potential impact on claim costs. Opponents may argue that retaining the 24-visit cap on certain therapy types could inhibit adequate recovery for injured workers, particularly in complex cases requiring more intensive rehabilitation. The intent to address the opioid crisis through this bill also may provoke discussions about how best to manage pain management strategies without compromising the treatment outcomes for injured employees.