Access to care remains an ongoing topic in workers’ comp, and in recent news, Delaware shared metrics on the success of a recent bill, while Washington State and the federal government have proposed initiatives to expand access to care.

The Delaware Department of Labor reported that since Senate Bill 164 took effect on June 30th, more than 200 providers have joined the workers’ compensation system. The bill increased evaluation and management reimbursement rates after they fell below CMS levels, and officials expect continued growth in provider participation.

In Washington State, the Department of Labor & Industries is preparing to amend physical medicine reimbursement policies in WAC-296-21-290 to include chiropractors and occupational therapists as eligible providers. The goal is to reduce treatment delays and improve patient outcomes. The initial notice is the first step in the rulemaking process, with a formal proposal forthcoming.

In Congress, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 3296 to expand treatment options for injured federal workers by authorizing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, certify, and oversee care. This change would go beyond the current physician-only requirement, aiming to reduce travel burdens and wait times for patients.