CorVel is a national provider of industry-leading workers’ compensation solutions to Arizona payors. Incidents and injuries can be reported to Advocacy 24/7 for immediate intervention. We have a proprietary, in-house advocacy model that is completely integrated with our risk management system to offer immediate first aid advice, referral to telehealth or appointments with a medical doctor. CorVel’s Advocacy 24/7 promotes an environment focused on immediate intervention, reducing costly lag times of First Notice of Loss (FNOL) reporting.
Our comprehensive return to work program ensures collaboration and communication with all interested parties including the injured worker, employer, human resources, medical and safety teams, and healthcare providers. We use technology, compassionate case management for employees and cost containment measures, to give Arizona employers a superior program.
As a service to our clients, CorVel is providing links to information related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by the states.
Arizona has issued an Executive Order 2020-29 Telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Legislature Status: Legislature will not reconvene in April.
Legislation
- SB 1028 Allows the Governor to issue an enhanced surveillance advisory and revises the powers of the Governor to respond to imminent threat of disease outbreak in a state of emergency. Pending.
- SB 1042 Amends Arizona code to provide that mail-order pharmacies are not settings that are not accessible to the general public for purposes of workers’ compensation. Enacted.
- SB 1051 Relates to the Department of Health Services; appropriates $50 million to the public health emergencies fund to pay the expenses of public health emergency responses following a state of emergency declaration by the Governor related to COVID-19. Enacted.
- SB 1687 Revises statutory and session law changes relating to human services necessary to implement the FY 2021 state budget. Provisions authorize payments and reimbursements to certain healthcare providers, so that services remain covered. Enacted.
- HB 2910 Provides for procedures regarding public school closures related to the coronavirus disease 2019; appropriating funds. Enacted.
- SB 1694/HB 2911 An emergency measure that permits the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to establish an alternative unemployment insurance (UI) benefit program for people impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Enacted.
- HB 2668 Brings more resources into Arizona’s health care system by increasing Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provider rates for hospitals, doctors and more. Enacted.
- SB 1690 Appropriates $50 million from the general fund to a newly established Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund. The fund will provide economic assistance for housing, the homeless, small businesses, and food bank operations during the coronavirus public health emergency. Enacted.
COVID-19 Related Policies
HB 2472 – workers’ compensation; heart-related cases; presumption
Summary:
This measure amends Section 23-1105 regarding workers’ compensation for firefighters.
This measure requires that, so long as all other subsections of the existing measure are met, a firefighter’s death or injury from a heart-related, perivascular, or pulmonary disease will conclusively and irrefutably be considered an occupational death or disease.
Most Recent Update: This measure has been introduced for the 2020 legislative session. This measure awaits referral to a committee.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 2/6/2023
SB 1164 – Workers’ Compensation; Fraud Investigations; Adjudications
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure requires the Industrial Commission (commission) to address workers’ compensation fraud claims and to establish an investigation process for fraud. This measure also requires individuals receiving permanent compensation benefits to annually report all earnings for the prior year to the commission. This measure takes effect 90 days after adjournment.
Most Recent Update:
02/01/2023 This measure has been scheduled for a hearing on February 1 in the Commerce Committee, chaired by Senator Kaiser (R). The Arizona legislature is meeting in-person for the 2023 legislative session. Anyone wishing to testify may do so in-person or online by going to the following link https://apps.azleg.gov/RequestToSpeak/UpcomingAgendas. Any online testimony must be submitted the day before the hearing by 3pm. A vote may occur at the discretion of the Chair. The measure may be considered in multiple committees.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 4/11/2022
SB 1254 – Medical Product; Procedure; Mandates; Liability
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage and Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends the Arizona statute relating to civil liability an establishes that an employer that mandates or coercers an employee to receive a medical product or medical procedure is liable to the employee for purposes of workers’ compensation and the employee’s dependents in certain circumstances. This bill is applicable to employers and workers’ compensation insurers. This measure amends the Arizona statute relating to civil liability an establishes that an employer that mandates or coercers an employee to receive a medical product or medical procedure is liable to the employee and the employee’s dependents in certain circumstances. This measure provides that an injury that arises within 120 days after receiving the medical product or procedure is presumed to be caused by the medical product or procedure. Under this measure, coerce means “to withhold a benefit, right, or privilege if an employee refuses a medical product or medical procedure, including any benefit, right or privilege that is given to any other employee or to otherwise engage in conduct that is intended to penalize the employee in any manner for refusing a medical product or medical procedure.” This measure defines medical procedure as, “any procedure involving any individual’s body that is related to an individual’s health.” This measure defines medical product as, “any United States Food and Drug Administration authorized device, biologic or drug, including any device, biologic or drug that is related to an individual’s health.” This bill does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
2/17/2022 This measure was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. No action was reported. This measure awaits further consideration in the Senate.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 8/5/2021
Executive Order 2021-13
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Networks), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This order rescinds executive orders 2020-07, 2020-15, 2020-19, and 2020-29 related to telemedicine access during the coronavirus pandemic due to the passage of permanent legislation addressing these matters.
Most Recent Update:
5/5/2021 Executive order signed by the governor.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 7/12/2021
SB 1605
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Direction Of Care), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends Arizona code to provide that public safety employees will be examined by a physician randomly selected from the commission’s list for purposes of workers’ compensation. See Update 3/5/2021 for full summary.
Most Recent Update:
6/30/2021 This measure failed upon adjournment of the Arizona legislature on June 30. This measure is ineligible for further consideration.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 5/5/2021
SB 1042 – Workers’ Compensation; Settings; Definition
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Direction Of Care), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends Arizona code to provide that mail-order pharmacies are not settings that are not accessible to the general public for purposes of workers’ compensation. This measure provides that “settings that are not accessible to the general public” does not include mail-order pharmacies delivering to workers’ compensation claimants if both of the following apply: (1) the pharmacy does not limit or restrict access to claimants with an affiliation to a medical provider or entity; and (2) any medical provider or other entity referring a claimant to the pharmacy does not receive or accept any rebate, refund, commission, preference, or other consideration as compensation for the referral. This measure does not outline any rulemaking or enforcement mechanisms.
Most Recent Update:
4/9/2021 This measure has been signed by the governor and took effect upon enactment on April 9, 2021.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 4/2/2021
SB 1042 – Workers’ Compensation; Settings; Definition
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Direction Of Care), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends Arizona code to provide that mail-order pharmacies are not settings that are not accessible to the general public for purposes of workers’ compensation. This measure provides that “settings that are not accessible to the general public” does not include mail-order pharmacies delivering to workers’ compensation claimants if both of the following apply: (1) the pharmacy does not limit or restrict access to claimants with an affiliation to a medical provider or entity; and (2) any medical provider or other entity referring a claimant to the pharmacy does not receive or accept any rebate, refund, commission, preference, or other consideration as compensation for the referral. This measure does not outline any rulemaking or enforcement mechanisms. This measure will take effect on August 27, 2021.
Most Recent Update:
3/16/2021 This measure was heard in the House Commerce Committee, where it was amended and passed the committee by a vote of 10-0. The amendment clarifies that this measure does not prohibit (1) a provider or pharmacy from entering into a separate contract or network that governs fees, in which case reimbursement will be made according to the applicable contracted charge or negotiated rate; or (2) an employer from directing medical, surgical, or hospital care. This measure is eligible for consideration in the House.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 3/5/2021
SB 1605
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Direction Of Care), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure amends Arizona code to provide that public safety employees will be examined by a physician randomly selected from the commission’s list for purposes of workers’ compensation. This measure directs the commission to develop a list of approved physicians to conduct initial examinations or periodic medical examinations of public safety employees. This measure defines “public safety employee” to mean a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, a corrections officer. This measure provides that when a public safety employee who may be entitled to compensation undergoes an examination, the commission must randomly select a physician from the list to conduct the examination. This measure will take effect on August 27, 2021.
Most Recent Update:
2/17/2021 This measure was heard on February 17 in the Senate Commerce Committee and passed the committee by a vote of 9-0. This measure is eligible for consideration in the Senate.
Arizona Regulatory Updates 06/02/2020
SB 1498 – An act regarding workers’ compensation; physicians; expertise; hearings
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General), Workers’ Compensation (Utilization Review And Appeals)
Summary:
This measure amends existing Arizona law regarding attendance at workers’ compensation hearings.
This measure allows the employee—or if the employee is deceased, their estate, surviving spouse, or dependent—to bring any person of their choosing to any hearing conducted pursuant to this measure without prior approval of the administrative law judge. This measure prohibits the commission from adopting any rule that in any way restricts an employee’s rights under this measure.
This measure also stipulates that a physician who performs an examination or any other physician who testifies at an employee’s hearing under this measure must have expertise in diagnosing and treating the employee’s specific injury.
Most Recent Update: This measure failed upon adjournment of the Arizona legislature on May 26.
This measure is not eligible to be carried over to the 2021 Legislative Session. It would need to be reintroduced to receive reconsideration. Senate President Karen Fann (R) says she expects Governor Doug Ducey (R) to call a special session in the next thirty days to address liability and COVID-19 relief.
Arizona Services