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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Leavell
DATE TYPED 3/15/2005 HB
SHORT TITLE Workers’ Comp Independent Medical Exam
SB 45/aHJC
ANALYST Dunbar
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
NFI
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Workers’ Compensation Administration (WCA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of HJC Amendment
The House Judiciary Committee amendment to Senate Bill 45 expands the criteria on the use of
an independent medical examination when a dispute exists between the parties to include:
•
the reasonableness or necessity of medical or surgical treatment,
•
the date upon which maximum medical improvement was reached,
•
the correct impairment rating for the worker,
•
the cause of an injury or any other medical issue.
WCA supports this amendment.
Synopsis of Original Bill
Senate Bill 45 reverses an appellate court decision which held that a workers’ compensation
judge was not authorized to order an independent medical examination of a worker on his or her
own motion. This bill allows a Workers’ Compensation Judge to order an independent medical
examination on his or her own motion any time it will assist with the determination of any issue
in the case.