AB 1498: Workers’ compensation: medical treatment.

The proposed law aims to address the shortage of medical treatment for workplace injuries in the Central Valley region. It would require the administrative director to establish a statewide medical provider network database consisting of physicians willing and able to treat injured employees in the San Joaquin Valley region. Employees must first seek treatment within their network, unless the network is unable to treat the employee within 30 days. To be included in the network, physicians must be in good standing with the Medical Board of California and comply with the official medical fee schedule. The law would be implemented on or before January 1, 2027, and the legislature intends to address the shortage of available medical treatment in the specified counties.