Overview of New Workers' Comp Regulations

Now that Governor Pat Quinn signed HB 1698 into law on Tuesday, it is time to look ahead to the efforts involved in implementing these changes. From the IWCC Fee Schedule Committee’s rates and repricing methodology decisions to the Department of Insurance’s release of the additional Preferred Provider Program approval requirements, the coming weeks and months are sure to be extremely busy for everyone involved in the workers’ comp system.

Here is HFN’s general overview of the significant changes to the Illinois workers’ compensation regulations included in the bill. Our individual in-depth assessments of these major changes will start shortly, and we will continue to post regular updates regarding their implementation.

Gov. Quinn will sign the WC reform package

The workers’ compensation reform package is almost official. Governor Pat Quinn will sign HB 1698 into law tomorrow at a bill signing ceremony. Here’s the full story on the Chicago Tribune.

Welcome to the IL Workers' Comp Reform Guide blog

On May 31, after several false starts and lengthy negotiations, the Illinois Legislature passed HB 1698, ushering in a workers’ compensation reform overhaul in Illinois.  While it is still awaiting Governor Quinn’s signature, all indications are he will either sign it into effect soon or, absent an incredibly unlikely veto, it will automatically become law August 1.  Some of the interested parties, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce among them, have stated they don’t believe these reform measures go far enough to address many of their concerns.  However, this bill will significantly affect the way employees seek treatment, medical providers receive reimbursement, PPOs contract with both providers and employers, lawyers litigate claims, firms apply bill review/medical cost management/utilization review guidelines, and employers evaluate network value and pay claims.

HFN has a vested interest in both understanding the modifications to the current system and facilitating an ongoing discussion through this blog about these changes.  As an Illinois-based and Illinois-focused PPO, HFN is uniquely positioned to provide local insight and updates about the challenges involved in the interpretation and implementation of all of the new requirements and procedures.  The Illinois Workers’ Comp Reform Guide will keep you up to date on the activity with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Department of Insurance, and other agencies and interested groups as we all work to translate the current legislation into the day-to-day operations and decisions that make up Illinois workers’ comp.