GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2017
S 1
SENATE BILL 165
Short Title: Workers' Comp./Clarify Medicare Methodology. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Senators Daniel and Newton (Primary Sponsors). |
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Referred to: |
Rules and Operations of the Senate |
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March 2, 2017
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT clarifying the medicare methodology for schedule of maximum fees for medical compensation related to the workers' compensation act.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. Section 33(a) of S.L. 2013‑410 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 33.(a) Industrial Commission Hospital
Fee Schedule:Schedule of Maximum Fees for Medical Compensation:
(1) Medicare methodology
for physician and hospital fee schedules. Medicare methodology for schedule
of maximum fees for medical compensation. – With respect to the schedule of
maximum fees for physician and hospital medical compensation
adopted by the Industrial Commission pursuant to G.S. 97‑26, Chapter
97 of the General Statutes, those fee schedules fees shall be
based on the applicable Medicare payment methodologies, with such adjustments
and exceptions as are necessary and appropriate to ensure that (i) injured
workers are provided the standard of services and care intended by Chapter 97
of the General Statutes, (ii) providers are reimbursed reasonable fees for
providing these services, and (iii) medical costs are adequately contained.
Such fee schedules schedule shall also be periodically reviewed
to ensure that they continue it continues to adhere to these
standards and applicable fee schedule requirements of Chapter 97. In addition
to the statewide fee averages, geographical and community variations in
provider costs, and other factors affecting provider costs that the Commission
may consider pursuant to G.S. 97‑26, the Commission may also
consider other payment systems in North Carolina, other states' cost and
payment structures for workers' compensation, the impact of changes over time
to Medicare fee schedules on payers and providers, and cost issues for
providers and payers relating to frequency of service, case mix index, and
related issues.
(2) Transition to direct
billing. – Pursuant to G.S. 97‑26(g) through (g1) and applicable
rules, the Commission shall provide for transition to direct claims submission
and reimbursement for fees for medical and hospital fees, compensation,
including an implementation timeline, notice to affected stakeholders, and
related compliance issues.
(3) Expedite rule‑making
process for fee schedule. – The Industrial Commission is exempt from the
certification requirements of G.S. 150B‑19.1(h) and the fiscal note
requirement of G.S. 150B‑21.4 in developing the fee schedules schedule
required pursuant to this section."
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to claims pending on or after that date.