Governor Signs Bill to Allow More Docs in System, Treat Unemployment as Wages

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear enacted a bill that could have the mixed effect of lowering costs by allowing retired doctors to write medical reports and testify in work comp proceedings, and increasing costs by treating unemployment insurance as income when calculating benefits owed for workplace injuries. The governor signed House Bill 401, which amends the definition of “physician” for work comp proceedings in general and for giving testimony in administrative hearings. The amended definition of physician in KRS 342.0011 includes providers licensed anywhere in the U.S. The revised...