New York is moving to broaden access to medical treatment for injured employees through a major overhaul of its workers’ compensation provider authorization system. Under legislation included in the state’s FY 2026-27 budget, eligible licensed healthcare professionals in good standing will be permitted to treat workers’ compensation patients without obtaining separate authorization from the Workers’ Compensation Board. The new framework is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2028.
State officials say the reform is intended to remove administrative barriers that have limited provider participation and delayed treatment for injured workers. Currently, only about 10% of eligible medical providers have completed the Board’s authorization process, leaving many employees with lengthy wait times, limited provider options, or the need to travel considerable distances for care. Universal authorization is expected to expand the available provider network while allowing patients to receive treatment from physicians and specialists they already know and trust.
The Workers’ Compensation Board will continue to oversee provider participation through education, training and regulatory oversight, while maintaining its authority to remove providers who fail to meet required standards. Officials also noted that participation in the workers’ compensation system will remain voluntary for healthcare professionals.
The proposal builds on several modernization initiatives already introduced by the Board to improve the medical claims process. Recent efforts include moving prior authorization requests online, adopting a single electronic billing form, reducing medical billing dispute backlogs, increasing reimbursement for evaluation and management services, expanding virtual provider depositions, and simplifying training opportunities for resident physicians. These changes are designed to make participation in the workers’ compensation system more efficient for medical professionals while improving access to timely care for injured employees.
Supporters believe the expanded authorization model will particularly benefit workers in rural and underserved communities, where access to Board-authorized providers has been limited. By enlarging the pool of eligible physicians and specialists, the state expects injured employees to receive treatment sooner, experience better continuity of care, and return to work more quickly, while healthcare providers will no longer face a separate authorization process before treating workers’ compensation patients.
Source: Workers’ Compensation Board, New York State.
