NYS Workers’ Compensation Board Implements Medical Treatment Guidelines

On December 1, 2010, the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) implemented mandatory medical treatment guidelines.  These guidelines apply to all neck, back, shoulder and knee injury cases regardless of the date of the accident.
  The guidelines apply to treating medical providers (doctors, chiropractors, psychologists and others as defined by law).  Even though physical and occupational therapists are not defined as treating medical providers, the guidelines also apply to them.  Unfortunately, physical and occupational therapists cannot request optional prior approval or a variance.

The health care provider is required to provide medical justification that supports the variance request.

In all likelihood, the amount of chiropractic and physical therapy treatment will become more limited.  It is important to remember that for the first time, the Workers’ Compensation Board has written treatment guidelines that may or may not make it easier and faster for the proper type of treatment to be delivered.  Your health care provider must become familiar with the process and follow the steps in a timely fashion.