SB453 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Workers' Compensation Law, revision of defintions, Department of Labor approves reimbursements, out of state inquiries, settlements, evidence, advanced payments, maximum comp. limits, burial expenses, physician panels, delete certain verification requirements, stipulations for trials, judge's order within 90 days, mutally agreed contracts, Secs. 25-5-1, 25-5-3, 25-5-35, 25-5-56, 25-5-57, 25-5-67, 25-5-68, 25-5-77, 25-5-80, 25-5-81, 25-5-88, 25-5-90, 25-5-117, 25-5-197, 25-5-293, 25-5-310, 25-5-311, 25-5-312, 25-5-313, 25-5-314, 25-5-316 am'd.

Summary

SB453 would overhaul Alabama's workers' compensation law by rewriting definitions, creating a medical services board to control costs, and expanding rules for benefits, settlements, and out-of-state injuries.

What This Bill Does

It updates definitions, requires standardized claim reimbursement forms approved by the Director, and streamlines handling of injuries occurring outside Alabama. It changes how settlements with attorney representation and advance payments are handled, tightens caps and schedules for disability benefits and burial expenses, and expands pain management options. It creates a Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board with defined composition to set maximum fees and oversee medical services, establish fee schedules, and allow mutually agreed rates for care, while also establishing a new Administrative Trust Fund to support administration and funding mechanisms for claims.

Who It Affects

• Injured workers and their dependents, who may see changes to benefit amounts, eligibility, burial expense caps, access to pain management, and timeliness of treatment and trials.
• Employers, insurers, and self-insured employers, who face new cost controls through aMedical Services Board fee schedule, potential assessments to fund administration, and new rules on medical billing and utilization review.
• Medical providers and hospitals, who will be subject to the new maximum fee schedules, panel-based treatment requirements, and potential mutual-rate contracts with employers or insurers.
• Attorneys and claimants' representatives, who are affected by new settlement procedures, staggered trial stipulations, and changes to how and when claims are processed and adjudicated.

Key Provisions

• Section 25-5-1 and related definitions amended to clarify terms such as compensation, employee, employer, and providers.
• Section 25-5-3 requires the Director to approve standardized claim reimbursement forms and promote electronic reporting and billing for workers' compensation cases.
• Section 25-5-35 streamlines provisions for injuries occurring out of state and cross-state benefit considerations.
• Section 25-5-56 sets settlement rules for matters involving compensation and medical payments, including advance payments, with standard protections and oversight.
• Section 25-5-57 revises the compensation schedule for temporary and permanent disabilities and related benefits, including return-to-work and rehabilitation considerations.
• Section 25-5-67 increases burial expense provisions and outlines court approval for disputes on burial costs.
• Section 25-5-68 establishes maximum and minimum weekly benefits tied to the state’s average weekly wage and updates caps for various disability scenarios.
• Section 25-5-77 modifies medical service payment rules, including physician panels for treatment and surgery, and the prevailing rate of reimbursement for medical services.
• Section 25-5-80 and 25-5-81 set time limits and procedural rules for filing claims, trials, and judgments, including a 14-day stipulation requirement before trial and a 90-day court order after trial.
• Sections 25-5-311, 25-5-312, and 25-5-313 create and govern the Workers' Compensation Medical Services Board, detailing composition (five physicians plus other stakeholders), duties, and a comprehensive schedule of maximum fees for medical services.
• Section 25-5-314 authorizes mutual contracts between employers, insurers, and health care providers for agreed rates, with the state maintaining a separate fee schedule.
• Section 25-5-316 creates and funds the Workers' Compensation Administrative Trust Fund and outlines assessments on carriers and self-insurers for administrative costs, plus provisions related to the Second Injury Trust Fund and related payments.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Workers' Compensation