RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Providers must automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services if they determine the injured employee will likely require them to return to suitable gainful employment, removing previous discretion.

New requirements for initial evaluation reports to include specific assessments of medical status, disabilities, job analysis, and vocational handicaps related to employment.

Plans must now include detailed information about services, costs, timelines, and employee responsibilities, with employer objections allowed within ten calendar days.

Extended timelines for various steps including employer selection of providers (30 days), employee review of plans (10 days), and employer objection periods (10 calendar days).

Established clear procedures for reconsideration of rehabilitation unit determinations and hearings before designated officers.

Clarified the process for determining suitable gainful employment through a sequential evaluation of usual employment, modified work, other employment, and training options.

Added requirement for providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services when they determine the employee will likely need them to return to suitable gainful employment.

Clarified the process for selecting a certified rehabilitation provider, including timelines for employee selection and employer selection if the employee fails to choose within 30 days.

Established specific requirements for initial evaluation reports, including assessment of medical status, job analysis, vocational handicaps, and feasibility of rehabilitation services.

Set specific deadlines for submitting evaluation reports (45 days), approval of plans (90 days), and employer objections (10 calendar days).

Updated the rehabilitation unit's duties to include reviewing and approving rehabilitation plans, adopting minimum standards for providers, certifying providers, and enforcing implementation of rehabilitation plans.