Senate Passes Bill That Would Allow Workers to Select Treating Providers

The Colorado Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would allow injured workers to select any doctor certified to treat in the state’s workers’ compensation system. The Senate voted 19-16 to pass SB 197, by Sen. Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, which would allow injured workers to designate any Level I or Level II accredited physician as their treating doctor. If a worker fails to designate a physician within seven business days of receiving a notice of the right to designate, the employer or carrier could select an accredited provider. The injured worker would be able to subsequently d...