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SB 189

Providing injured employees the freedom of choice to designate their healthcare provider and requiring the employer to pay for the services of such healthcare provider with regard to workers compensation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ethan Corson and 4 co-sponsors

SB 189 lets Kansas injured workers pick their own healthcare providers for workers' comp claims while requiring employers to pay for all services rendered.

Died in Committee
#workerscompensation
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Bill Summary · SB 189

Legislative bill overview

SB 189 would grant injured workers in Kansas the right to select their own healthcare provider for workers' compensation treatment, rather than having that choice dictated by their employer or insurer. The bill would simultaneously require employers to cover the costs of care provided by the employee's chosen provider.

Why is this important

Workers' compensation systems typically restrict injured employees to employer-selected or insurer-selected medical networks to control costs and ensure consistent care standards. This bill shifts significant control to workers, potentially improving their autonomy and satisfaction with treatment, but could substantially increase employer insurance costs and complexity in the workers' compensation system.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Allowing unrestricted provider selection without network discounts could dramatically increase workers' compensation insurance premiums for employers, potentially affecting small businesses disproportionately
  • Quality and consistency concerns: Without network oversight, there's reduced ability to ensure provider qualifications, coordinate care, or prevent unnecessary or duplicative treatments
  • Insurer concerns: Insurance companies typically negotiate discounted rates with in-network providers; this could eliminate those savings and create billing disputes over "reasonable and customary" charges
  • Return-to-work delays: Without managed care protocols, injured workers might have longer treatment periods, potentially delaying return to employment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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