Montana Senate Bill 295 was introduced, which would let injured workers choose their own providers.

The bill notes that insurers may verify that the designated provider agrees to carry out responsibilities such as coordinating the workers’ receipt of medical services, provide timely determinations, arrange for treatment within utilization and treatment guidelines, and more.

A designation of treating physician must take into account type of injury or occupational illness, as well as practical concerns such as proximity to the injured worker. Additionally, the treating physician can be changed at any time with the consent of the worker. Refusal to consent to a change in treating physician would be subject to mediation.