Restoring the right for injured worker to choose their own doctor.

This bill restores the right for injured workers in Montana to choose their own treating physician for workers' compensation claims, allowing them to select a doctor before the insurance company designates one. The law requires insurers to honor a worker's choice of doctor if that doctor agrees to follow specific responsibilities like coordinating care and providing timely medical determinations. Workers may also be referred to managed care organizations or preferred provider networks by their insurer, but the bill clarifies that simply posting information about these networks in the workplace does not count as official written notice to the worker. The legislation also adjusts reimbursement rates for doctors, paying 110% of the standard fee schedule for insurer-designated physicians and 90% for providers referred by the treating physician, while maintaining 100% payment for care received before a physician is officially designated.