Governor Kathy Hochul signed New York Senate Bill 3005C into law expanding provider access in the workers’ comp system by allowing physicians in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residency and fellowship programs to now treat injured workers under faculty supervision.

Effective immediately, more than 20,000 resident and fellowship physicians across 1,400 training programs at nearly 70 hospitals can now treat injured workers, which may help reduce delays to care.

Furthermore, effective January 1, 2027, the bill will allow employers to cover the cost of medical treatment and care for an injury without accepting liability, for a period of one year. This provision will apply to services accounting for over 60% of claims. Employers must notify the worker and the Board when making temporary payments, which can end after a year, upon contesting the claim, or following a Board decision.