Package of Bills Resurrect Proposals for IMEs, Disputed Claims

Hawaii lawmakers this year will debate a package of bills that would state providers performing independent medical examinations owe the same duty of care to the injured worker as they would a traditional patient, allow workers and employers to mutually agree on a provider to perform an IME, and prohibit employers from disputing claims without reasonable cause or while an investigation is ongoing. Three bills Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, D-Moanalua, introduced this year contain proposals similar to what was in bills he and other lawmakers filed in 2017. House Bill 1640 would prohibit employ...