State Legislation
Iowa
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Legislature Status: Suspended until April 30.
Legislation
- SB 2408 Relating to state and local finances by making and supplementing appropriations. Waives the instructional time requirement for schools that close in order to prevent or contain the spread of COVID-19. Enacted.
- HF 2411 requires employers to supply more than one set of permanent prosthetics if it is medically necessary. This measure is applicable to employers and workers’ compensation insurers. Enacted.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 3/3/2023
HF 369 – A Bill For an Act Relating to Employer Liability For Adverse Effects Resulting from Mandated Covid-19 Vaccinations.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure relates to employer liability for an employer that implements an employee COVID-19 vaccination mandate. This measure provides that an employee may bring a civil claim against an employer if the employee was required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and suffered an injury, illness, or other adverse effect from the required vaccine. The burden of proof rests on the employer to show that the employer is not liable or responsible for any injury resulting from the employee receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
This measure will become effective on July 1, 2023.
Most Recent Update:
02/22/2023 – This measure has been referred to the House Labor and Workforce Committee. This measure is eligible for consideration in the committee of referral.
SF 367 – A Bill For an Act Including the Loss of or Lost Use of a Shoulder As a Compensable Injury For Second Injury Fund Benefits.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure includes the loss of or lost use of a shoulder as a compensable injury for second injury fund benefits.
Most Recent Update:
02/24/2023 This measure has been introduced in the Senate Committee on workforce and renumbered as SF367.This measure is eligible for consideration in the committee of referral.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 7/11/2022
HF 2411 – A Bill For an Act Relating to Replacements of Permanent Prosthetic Devices For Injured Workers.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
See 4/11/2022 update below for full summary.
Most Recent Update:
6/14/2022 This measure was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds (R). This measure is effective on July 1, 2022.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 6/8/2022
HF 2411 – A Bill For an Act Relating to Replacements of Permanent Prosthetic Devices For Injured Workers.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
See 4/11/2022 update below for full summary.
Most Recent Update:
5/24/2022 This measure passed both chambers unanimously following amendment by the Senate. This measure is eligible to be sent to Governor Kim Reynolds (R). Since the Legislature is in session, the Governor has three days, excluding Sundays, to sign or veto this measure. If the Governor vetoes this measure, this measure will be sent back to its chamber of origin with a message explaining the Governor’s objections and recommendations which will remove such objections. The Legislature can overturn the Governor’s veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both legislative chambers.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 4/11/2022
HF 2411 – A Bill For an Act Relating to Replacements of Permanent Prosthetic Devices For Injured Workers.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure requires employers to supply more than one set of permanent prosthetics if it is medically necessary. This measure is applicable to employers and workers’ compensation insurers. This measure requires employers to supply more than one set of permanent prosthetics if it is medically necessary as a result of an injury incurred while the employee is employed with said employer. Current law limits this to only one set of permanent prosthetics. This measure does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
3/10/2022 This measure was heard on March 10 in the Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee by an undisclosed vote. An amendment has been filed. This measure is eligible for consideration in the Senate.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 6/3/2021
HF 123 – A Bill For an Act Relating to the Choice of Doctor to Treat an Injured Employee Under Workers’ Compensation Laws and Including Applicability Date Provisions.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation
Summary: The measure amends Section 1, Section 85.27, subsection 4, Code 2021.
Most Recent Update:
5/20/2021 The measure was introduced on 1/21/2021 and referred to the House Labor Committee. On May 20, the legislature adjourned the 2021 session. This measure is eligible to be considered in the 2022 session and is eligible to be considered in a special session.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 06/15/2020
HF 2536
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General), Behavioral Health Coverage
Summary:
The measure stipulates all employees subject to the provisions of the chapter who become disabled from injurious exposure to an occupational disease designated and defined and within the conditions, limitations, and requirements, will receive compensation, reasonable surgical, medical osteopathic, chiropractic, physical rehabilitation, nursing, and hospital supplies as provided in the worker’s compensation law. The measure stipulates applicable dependents of a deceased employee whose death has been caused by an occupational disease will be the persons defined as dependents under the workers’ compensation law.
The measure makes minor grammatical changes to the notice of disability or death and the pertainment of claims under the workers’ compensation act.
The measure stipulates each hospital and health care facility must adopt the appropriate system for its fiscal year as designated by the department for recording their revenues, expenses, incomes, and liabilities.
The measure stipulates the guardian of the person of the patient if one has been appointed, prior to court approval, to not require the appointment of a guardian in order for a treatment decision to be made.
The measure mandates a written report to be filed before December 1 of each year to include a summary of all activities undertaken by the state board and results, from identified behavioral health outcomes and indicators for the children’s behavioral health system.
The measure amends clarifying definitions for PBM’s. The measure changes pharmacy benefit manager to ‘pharmacy benefits manager’ for provisions regarding mandates for PBM’s to report annually to the commissioner for all information regarding prescription drug benefits provided to covered persons of each health carrier with whom the PBM has contracted with during the prior calendar year.
The measure makes minor code changes to dividing insurers.
The measure will take effect upon enactment.
Most Recent Update: This measure has been substituted for SF 2347 and has passed the Senate. SF 2347 is the vehicle for this measure moving forward.
HF 2437
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General), Behavioral Health Coverage
Summary:
The measure stipulates all employees subject to the provisions of the chapter who become disabled from injurious exposure to an occupational disease designated and defined and within the conditions, limitations, and requirements, will receive compensation, reasonable surgical, medical osteopathic, chiropractic, physical rehabilitation, nursing, and hospital supplies as provided in the worker’s compensation law. The measure stipulates applicable dependents of a deceased employee whose death has been caused by an occupational disease will be the persons defined as dependents under the workers’ compensation law.
The measure makes minor grammatical changes to the notice of disability or death and the pertainment of claims under the workers’ compensation act.
The measure stipulates each hospital and health care facility must adopt the appropriate system for its fiscal year as designated by the department for recording their revenues, expenses, incomes, and liabilities.
The measure stipulates the guardian of the person of the patient if one has been appointed, prior to court approval, to not require the appointment of a guardian in order for a treatment decision to be made.
The measure mandates a written report to be filed before December 1 of each year to include a summary of all activities undertaken by the state board and results, from identified behavioral health outcomes and indicators for the children’s behavioral health system.
The measure amends clarifying definitions for PBM’s. The measure changes pharmacy benefit manager to ‘pharmacy benefits manager’ for provisions regarding mandates for PBM’s to report annually to the commissioner for all information regarding prescription drug benefits provided to covered persons of each health carrier with whom the PBM has contracted with during the prior calendar year.
The measure makes minor code changes to dividing insurers.
The measure will take effect upon enactment.
Most Recent Update: This measure has been withdrawn. This measure will most likely not be considered again.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 04/01/2020
HF 90 – A bill for an act requiring certain weekly workers’ compensation benefits to be calculated by including an employee’s overtime and premium pay, and to include an annual cost-of-living adjustment.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement)
Summary:
The measure amends existing code to add requirements for workers’ compensation benefits.
The measure requires certain weekly workers’ compensation benefits to be calculated by an employee’s overtime and premium pay and to include an annual cost of living adjustment.
Most Recent Update: This measure’s subcommittee has been reassigned. This measure awaits further consideration in the subcommittee of referral.
HF 97 – A bill for an act relating to the state’s workers’ compensation laws by modifying alternate care procedures for medical treatment, creating registries of physicians who treat and evaluate work-related injuries, providing for the retention of a medical director, creating a state workplace injury care providers registry fund, establishing a workers’ compensation advisory council, providing for and appropriating fees, and including effective date provisions.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
The measure modifies existing workers’ compensation laws.
The measure relates to the state’s workers’ compensation laws by modifying alternate care procedures for medical treatment, creating registries of physicians who treat and evaluate work-related injuries, providing for the retention of a medical director, creating a state workplace injury care providers registry fund, establishing a workers’ compensation advisory council, providing for and appropriating fees, and including effective date provisions.
Most Recent Update: This measure is eligible to be carried over to the 2020 Legislative Session. In Iowa, the Legislature’s rules allow for measures to be carried over from the first to the second regular session and to any extraordinary session of the same general assembly. The status of each bill and resolution will be the same at the beginning of each second session as it was immediately before adjournment of the previous regular or extraordinary session. However, rules of either house may provide for re-referral of some or all bills and resolutions to standing committees upon adjournment of each session or at the beginning of a subsequent regular or extraordinary session, except those which have been adopted by both houses in different forms. The Iowa Legislature is expected to convene for the 2020 Legislative Session January 13, 2020.
Iowa Regulatory Updates 03/01/2020
SB 2003 – An act relating to replacement of prosthetic devices under the worker’s compensation program.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement)
Summary:
The measure mandates an employer to cover the replacement of a prosthetic device and subsequent prosthetic devices.
The measure allows for replacement of a prosthetic device if deemed as reasonable medical care under the section.
Most Recent Update: This measure had a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee. No reportable action has been published at this time. This measure awaits further consideration from the chair.
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- Workers’ compensation claims administration
- Medical bill review in compliance with state requirements
- Local PPO development and management
- Case management services
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