Medical fees for workers’ compensation revised

Senators passed a bill May 24 that changes medical fee schedules for workers’ compensation.

LB152, introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, reimburses a hospital 160 percent of its Medicare rate for inpatient trauma care.

Under the bill, additional compensation is provided for the outlier trauma cases that require unusual expenses. The stop loss threshold for such cases is 1.25 times the basic reimbursement rate. If the billed charges are greater than the stop loss threshold amount, hospitals will be reimbursed the basic reimbursement rate plus an additional 65 percent of the amount above the stop loss threshold.

The bill passed on a 45-0 vote.