Bills would enable comp-treatment of acupuncturists, therapy assistants

New York lawmakers introduced bills on Thursday that would allow acupuncturists and therapy assistants to treat injured workers and remove an employer's ability to require workers to use a particular pharmacy.

A.B. 1012 would authorize or certify acupuncturists to treat injured workers under the state workers' compensation program. The legislation also states that the chairman of the state compensation committee for employees has the right to establish a fee schedule for the treatment.

A.B. 1055 would authorize an occupational therapist's assistant or a physiotherapist's assistant to provide treatment to injured workers under the supervision of a licensed therapist.

If signed into law, both bills would take effect immediately.

A.B. 1

175 would remove language that says that an employer or insurer can "demand" that an injured worker use a certain pharmacy and instead can only "encourage" the use of a network pharmacy. The legislation gives workers the right to use a registered pharmacy. The bill also states that employers and insurers reserve the right to refuse fees from pharmacies outside the state or fees relating to "drugs with extemporaneous compounds" that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

If they are signed by law. the legislation would enter into force in 120 days. Catalog

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