HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

978

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to workers' compensation.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 386-79, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§386-79  Medical examination by employer's physician.  (a)  After an injury and during the period of disability, the employee, whenever ordered by the director of labor and industrial relations, shall submit to examination, at reasonable times and places, by a duly qualified physician or surgeon designated and paid by the employer.  The employee shall have the right to have a duly qualified physician [or], duly qualified surgeon, or chaperone designated and paid by the employee present at the examination, which right, however, shall not be construed to deny to the employer's physician the right to visit the injured employee at all reasonable times and under all reasonable conditions during total disability.  The employee shall also have the right to record such examination by a recording device designated and paid for by the employee.

     If an employee refuses to submit to, or in any way obstructs such examination, the employee's right to claim compensation for the work injury shall be suspended until the refusal or obstruction ceases and no compensation shall be payable for the period during which the refusal or obstruction continues.

     (b)  In cases where the employer is dissatisfied with the progress of the case or where major and elective surgery, or either, is contemplated, the employer may appoint a physician or surgeon of the employer's choice who shall examine the injured employee and make a report to the employer.  If the employer remains dissatisfied, this report may be forwarded to the director.

     Employer requested examinations under this section shall not exceed more than one per case unless good and valid reasons exist with regard to the medical progress of the employee's treatment.  The cost of conducting the ordered medical examination shall be limited to the complex consultation charges governed by the medical fee schedule established pursuant to section 386-21(c).

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "duly qualified physician" or "duly qualified surgeon" means a person who:

     (1)  Is qualified to treat the injury being examined;

     (2)  Possesses medical malpractice insurance; and

     (3)  Owes the same duty of care to the injured employee while performing the medical examination as would be owed to a traditional patient."

     SECTION 2.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Workers' Compensation; Medical Examination; Duly Qualified Physician; Duly Qualified Surgeon; Chaperone; Recording Devices

 

Description:

Allows an employee to have a chaperone present and use a recording device during the medical examination relating to a work injury under workers' compensation.  Clarifies that the employee's right to have a physician or surgeon present at the medical examination applies to the right to have a duly qualified physician or duly qualified surgeon present and defines "duly qualified physician" and "duly qualified surgeon".

 

 

 

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