Hoffman Legislation to Help Physicians, Businesses and Workers to Arrive on Governor’s Desk

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help health care providers collect funds they are owed for providing medical care to injured workers, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, passed legislation to hold workers’ compensation insurers accountable for past due medical expenses.

“Hospitals and health care professionals deserve timely payments for the treatment services they offer to injured workers,” Hoffman said. “It is unacceptable that insurance providers tasked with administering coverage to those who have sustained workplace injuries aren’t upholding their responsibilities to meet the financial demands of medical professionals. To address this, I supported a bill to hold these insurance companies to a higher standard, because doctors and hospitals deserve pay for services they provide to injured workers seeking adequate treatment.”

Hoffman’s Senate Bill 904 was crafted to establish a mechanism whereby workers’ compensation insurers may be penalized if there are late payments to medical care professionals who are involved in providing treatment to injured workers. Currently, the law is silent on areas concerning the late payment of medical bills from insurers to physicians, which has increased the number of unpaid expenses required by hospitals and medical personnel to operate effectively. Hoffman’s bill’s three-pronged approach is designed to assist physicians by paying them on time; help workers by providing medical treatment; and strengthen businesses by getting employees back to work.

Senate Bill 904 passed in the House 105 – 11 and in the Senate 38 – 7, and will soon be sent to the governor for consideration.