New York Senate Bill 9005C was signed into law as part of the FY 2026–2027 budget, expanding provider access and updating prior authorization thresholds.

Effective January 1, 2028, any eligible licensed health care provider in good standing may treat injured workers, replacing the current requirement for providers to obtain Board authorization prior to treating a workers’ comp claim. This change aligns with Governor Kathy Hochul's efforts to improve access to medical care and reduce administrative barriers in the workers’ compensation system.

Also effective January 1, 2028, the bill raises the prior authorization threshold from $1,000 to $1,500 for certain medical services. Services that exceed this threshold generally require prior authorization for the carrier to be responsible for payment, subject to statutory requirements and limited exceptions. This change is intended to reduce administrative burden and support more timely access to care, consistent with broader efforts to streamline prior authorization processes.

This legislation expands the pool of eligible treating providers and reduces prior authorization requirements, which may improve access to care but also increase utilization and reduce payer control over treatment and costs.