Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Bills to Eliminate Benefit Waiting Period, Limit IMEs

Lawmakers in Washington state this year will consider measures that would limit the number of independent medical exams injured workers could be forced to attend, eliminate the waiting period for indemnity benefits, eliminate the age limit for settlements and give self-insured employers more authority to process claim documents. The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony but didn't vote on any of the measures during a hearing Tuesday. Senate Bill 6440, a by Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, proved to be one of the more contentious proposals. The bill would limit the number of ...