Connecticut Senate Bill SB00319

Connecticut 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/14
• Refer: 2/27/14

Caption

An Act Concerning Maximum Medical Improvement.

Impact

This legislation directly affects the provisions of the worker's compensation system established under chapter 568 of the general statutes. By legally enforcing that medical support must continue despite an MMI designation, the bill aims to protect injured employees from lapses in care that could potentially hinder their recovery or exacerbate their conditions. The intended effect is to ensure that employees receive necessary treatment and services to deal with any permanent impairments resulting from workplace injuries, promoting their rehabilitation and reintegration into the workforce.

Summary

SB00319, titled 'An Act Concerning Maximum Medical Improvement,' seeks to safeguard entitlements for employees who have sustained workplace injuries. The bill mandates that employers and insurers cannot deny medical and surgical aid, or hospital and nursing services, to those employees once they have been diagnosed with maximum medical improvement (MMI). The concept of maximum medical improvement refers to a stage in rehabilitation where the patient's condition is stable, but may still require further assistance to manage any resulting impairments from the original injury.

Contention

Debates surrounding SB00319 may emerge from the perspectives of employers and insurance providers, who could express concerns over potential financial burdens stemming from extended medical obligations that the bill foists upon them. Opponents might argue that the requirement to provide ongoing services could lead to increased operational costs and insurance premiums. Conversely, advocates for the bill may underline its necessity in upholding the rights of injured workers and ensuring that they are not unfairly stripped of medical assistance at a vulnerable point in their recovery journey.