Colorado House Bill 1300 was signed into law, allowing injured workers the right to choose their treating physician, a departure from the previous system where employers directed care.

Injured workers may now choose any Level I or II accredited physician licensed under the Colorado Medical Practice Act. Employers will no longer provide a list or direct care.

Furthermore, employers must inform injured workers of their right to select a physician within 7 days of injury notice. The chosen provider must be within 70 miles of the worker’s home, extendable to 100 miles based on accessibility.

If a worker does not select a physician within 7 days, or resides out-of-state, the employer may designate a provider. Workers can request a one-time physician change within 120 days of injury or before reaching maximum medical improvement—up from the previous 90-day limit.

As for insurers, they must follow Rule 16 Utilization Standards when responding to treatment authorization requests. Failure to comply may result in automatic approval and reimbursement.

The bill faced notable opposition before its enactment. Critics argued that expanding physician choice could lead to higher medical costs and complicate treatment oversight. Despite these concerns, the changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2028, unless a referendum petition is filed to delay or challenge its implementation.