Healthesystems attended the April 29th meeting of the Wisconsin Workers' Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC), where initial proposals for the 2025 agreed bill were discussed.

This biennial process fosters collaboration between labor and management groups to develop mutually agreed-upon workers' compensation reforms, helping to reduce friction and increase the likelihood of these initiatives being enacted.

The meeting included a closed session for deliberation, after which both groups presented their proposals. Many were similar to those that were presented in the last agreed bill process, with some new additions. Some key proposals include:

• Establishment of a fee schedule by January 1, 2027, based on average group health rates to reduce the high medical costs
• Employer direction of care
• Allow APRNs, PAs, and Audiologists to provide disability opinions
• Expand serious traumatic injury categories to include shoulder replacements and spinal fusions with no statute of limitations

The next WCAC meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025.