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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 18, 2019 03:54 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative David S. Hickernell |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Workers' Compensation Healthcare Network |
| I will be introducing legislation to improve the workers’ compensation (WC) system in Pennsylvania by providing an option for employers to utilize a healthcare network. Current law only allows employers to utilize a network approach for the first 90 days of treatment. This network option – known in WC as a “provider panel” – has benefited patients. The PA Department of Labor and Industry conducts regular surveys of injured workers’ and a series of questions delve into patient experience as it relates to network care. The survey consistently shows that patients have better experience and outcomes when their employers provide a network option. The most recent survey released in 2017 showed that patients who received treatment though a network were more likely to be satisfied with their care, the timing of their return to work; and more likely to have their rights explained to them. Indeed, the survey also found that injured workers who did not have access to a network on average lost 33 percent more work days. Utilization of networks also helps control costs without compromising patient care. Working in Pennsylvania has never been safer as employers continue to emphasize and invest in workplace safety and employee health, and as we’ve transitioned to a more service-based economy. The result has been a gradual decline in the number of workplace accidents. At the same time, the average cost of individual claims continues to increase and can still spiral out of control – which can lead to significant insurance cost increases on employers and worse outcomes for the worker. Rising healthcare costs is a challenge for all types of health insurance, which is why strategies have been broadly implemented to mitigate costs. Provider networks are one such strategy that is fairly standard in group health, commercial and public health insurance. Network care helps ensure acceptable standards of provider quality and integrity and allows for more effective coordination among health professionals, which helps eliminate unnecessary services, excessive or duplicative treatment and over-prescribing of medication. It also helps prevent abuse from some of the bad apples in the system who use injured workers to enrich themselves rather than focus on patient care. We have seen such examples recently in Pennsylvania and they are unacceptable. According to the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, most states provide employers a managed care option. Many states, like New Jersey for example, allow employers to choose the providers – no network or time limit. It would certainly appear that providing a network option for Pennsylvania employers is a reasonable compromise and aligned with national standards. The time period in which employers can utilize network care has been increased over the years – from 14 days, to 30 days and eventually 90 days – as its benefits to the patient and system have become apparent. This experiment has been a demonstrable success and it is time to allow for network care for the duration of the claim. Providing for a network option will help control costs, prevent and combat fraud and abuse and make Pennsylvania more competitive; all while helping to ensure that quality care and employee health remain the top priority. Thank you for your consideration in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB1784