Legislators in Indiana and Washington introduced bills to strengthen injured workers’ control over medical care.

Indiana House Bill 1069 would allow injured workers to choose their attending physician at any point before permanent impairment is determined. Workers must notify the employer and insurer of their selected provider, while employers may only select the initial provider in emergency situations to prevent delays in care. If enacted, the change takes effect July 1, 2026.

Washington Senate Bill 5847 would allow injured workers to choose their providers, and would require that employers inform injured workers of this right. Furthermore, the bill would impose penalties of up to $2,500 for steering injured workers to preferred providers.

Additionally, this bill expands access to out-of-network providers when local options are limited and accelerates treatment approvals by requiring timely utilization review. If passed, these changes would take effect June 30, 2027.

Both bills make changes applicable to all claims, regardless of the date of injury. Legislative proposals limiting employer influence over medical care and expanding injured worker provider choice can affect the delivery of coordinated, cost-effective care. Reduced control over provider networks can lead to higher costs and diminished service penetration.