CorVel has provided workers’ compensation management services to New Mexico employers for more than 30 years. Our approach is that all injured workers need quality healthcare and compassionate guidance from someone who is familiar with their case. CorVel provides personalized attention, along with the expertise needed to help speed return to work, while ensuring patients understand and follow treatment plans and get their questions answered quickly. All so that recovery can continue and life can get back on track.
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 New Mexico 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.
Legislature Status: Adjourned sine die Feb. 20.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor launched a data dashboard that includes testing rates as reported by county and county-by-county breakdowns of positive cases by age, gender and ethnicity.
- April 14, 2020 – The Governor launched NMConnect, a phone app that provides free 24-hour crisis and non-crisis support and access to behavioral health specialists that can provide referrals to longer-term support.
- April 14, 2020 – The New Mexico Environment Department recommended that employees working in restaurants, food establishments and grocery stores wear gloves and a cloth face covering while serving customers and maintaining safe physical distance of at least six feet and utilizing proper handwashing techniques.
- April 14, 2020 – The New Mexico Magazine announced it is offering free access to the full digital editions of the publication through the month of June.
- April 11, 2020 – The Governor announced measures authorizing emergency dispensing by a pharmacist through prescription adaptation without practitioner approval where limited access to prescribing health care practitioners interferes with the pharmacist’s ability to provide patient medication in a timely manner.
- April 11, 2020 – The Governor expanded her mass gatherings ban to combat spread of the coronavirus to include churches and other houses of worship on the eve of Easter.
COVID-19 Related Updates
HB 6 – AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY; CREATING A PRESUMPTION THAT POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IS PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY EMPLOYMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FIRST RESPONDERS.
Summary:
The measure amends New Mexico Code to allow first reponsders to qualify for workers’ compensation if they have PTSD.
The measure requires that an employer must provide medical treatment for a job related condition or injury. The measure requires that a law enforcement officer or emergency medical services first responder is diagnosed with
posttraumatic stress disorder by a physician or psychologist that results in physical impairment, primary or secondary mental impairment or death qualify for employer provided medical treatment.
Most Recent Update: This measure was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) This measure goes into effect on July 1st, 2020.
New Mexico Regulatory Updates 03/03/2023
HB 329 – Workers’ Comp Violations Penalties
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure increases the maximum penalty for failing to file required information required by the Workers’ Compensation Act from $1,000 to $2,500. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
02/07/2023 – This measure is scheduled to be heard on February 21 in the House Labor, Veterans’ And Military Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative Eliseo Lee Alcon (D). The New Mexico legislature is meeting in-person for the 2023 legislative session, but hearings may be held virtually at the discretion of the Chair. Anyone wishing to testify may do so in-person or through the zoom link on the hearing agenda. A vote may occur at the discretion of the Chair. The measure may be referred to multiple committees. Hearings in New Mexico are scheduled with little notice and change frequently.
HB 330 – Farm & Ranch Laborer Workers’ Comp
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure removes the exclusion on farm and ranch laborers from the Workers’ Compensation Act. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
02/01/2023 – This measure has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources, chaired by Representative Susan K. Herrera (D), and the House Committee on Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs, chaired by Representative Eliseo Lee Alcon (D). The sponsor does not serve on either committee of referral. This measure is eligible for consideration in the House Committee on Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources. A timeline may be established by the Chair.
HB 455 – Workers’ Compensation Changes
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General)
Summary:
This measure increases employer coverage of discovery costs from $3,000 to $10,000. It also increases the limit on attorney’s fees from $22,500 to $32,500. It also alters when a judge may award more than these amounts, and increases penalties for violating certain workers’ compensation provisions to $3,000. It does not list an effective date.
Most Recent Update:
02/16/2023 – This measure has been referred to the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee; House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon (D); Rep. Christine Chandler (D). The sponsor does not sit on the committee(s) of referral. This measure is eligible for consideration in the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee; House Judiciary Committee. A timeline may be established by the Chair.
New Mexico Regulatory Updates 08/01/2019
HB 295 – An act relating to health care; enacting the health security act to provide for comprehensive statewide health care; providing for health care planning; establishing procedures to contain health care costs; creating a commission; providing for its powers and duties; providing for health care delivery regions and regional councils; directing and authorizing the development of a health security plan; providing penalties; amending a section of the tort claims act; enacting a new section of the unfair practices act to ban the sale of redundant health coverage; enacting temporary provisions of law to require a fiscal analysis of the health security plan before enactment of the health security act; providing for delayed repeal
Issues: Medicaid Managed Care, Workers’ Compensation (General), Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement)
Summary:
This measure relates to workers’ compensation rates.
The measure would direct the Superintendent of insurance to work with the legislative finance committee on the fiscal analysis act to identify premium costs associated with health care coverage in workers’ compensation and automobile medical coverage. The Superintendent shall consult with the Workers’ Compensation Administration and develop an estimate of expected reduction in those costs based upon assumptions of health care services coverage in the health security plan established pursuant to the Health Security Act and, by September 14, 2020, must report the findings to the legislative finance committee as the committee considers financing for the health security plan.
Most Recent Update: This measure failed upon adjournment of the New Mexico Legislature on March 16.
This measure is ineligible for further consideration. New Mexico does not carryover bills from year-to-year.
SB 279 – An act relating to health care; enacting the health security act to provide for comprehensive statewide health care; providing for health care planning; establishing procedures to contain health care costs; creating a commission; providing for its powers and duties; providing for health care delivery regions and regional councils; directing and authorizing the development of a health security plan; providing penalties; amending a section of the tort claims act; enacting a new section of the unfair practices act to ban the sale of redundant health coverage; enacting temporary provisions of law to require a fiscal analysis of the health security plan before enactment of the health security act; providing for delayed repeal; making an appropriation.
Issues: Workers’ Compensation (Medical Coverage And Reimbursement), Workers’ Compensation (General), Medicaid Managed Care
Summary:
This measure relates to workers’ compensation rates.
The measure would direct the Superintendent of insurance to work with the legislative finance committee on the fiscal analysis act to identify premium costs associated with health care coverage in workers’ compensation and automobile medical coverage. The Superintendent shall consult with the Workers’ Compensation Administration and develop an estimate of expected reduction in those costs based upon assumptions of health care services coverage in the health security plan established pursuant to the Health Security Act and, by September 14, 2020, must report the findings to the legislative finance committee as the committee considers financing for the health security plan.
Most Recent Update: This measure failed upon adjournment of the New Mexico Legislature on March 16. This measure is ineligible for further consideration. New Mexico does not carryover bills from year-to-year.
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