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SB 25-186

Sunset Workers' Compensation Providers Accreditation Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Ball and 14 co-sponsors

Extends and broadens the Workers’ Compensation Provider Accreditation program, allowing more providers (including optometrists) Level I accreditation through 2036.

Governor Signed
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Bill Summary · SB 25-186

SB 25-186 — Sunset Workers' Compensation Providers Accreditation Program

Status: Governor signed (May 29, 2025) | Introduced: Feb 28, 2025

Main purpose

Continue the Workers’ Compensation Accreditation of Health‑Care Providers Program in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and broaden who may obtain Level I accreditation. The bill implements recommendations from the 2024 DORA sunset review.

Key provisions

  • Extends the program’s repeal date from September 1, 2025 to September 1, 2036 (statutory repeal language also added to the general sunset schedule).
  • Expands eligibility for Level I accreditation to any health‑care professional:
    • regulated under Title 12, and
    • listed in the utilization standards established by rule and who provides treatment in the workers’ compensation system.
    • The enacted language explicitly includes optometrists (and other Title 12 professions listed in utilization standards).
  • Confirms that only physicians licensed under the Colorado Medical Practice Act (and not other newly eligible Level I providers) retain the exclusive authority to make certain determinations related to permanent impairment and maximum medical improvement (i.e., Level II impairment evaluations remain limited to physicians).
  • Clarifies that licensing alone does not confer accreditation.
  • Appropriates funds and directs CDLE implementation authority.

Fiscal and implementation impacts

  • FY 2025‑26 appropriation: $123,933 from the Workers’ Compensation Cash Fund to CDLE (supports 1.6 FTE; $108,545 personal services; $15,388 operating).
  • Legislative Council Staff (final fiscal note) estimates the bill increases state revenue and expenditures by $221,103 in FY 2025‑26 and by $705,044 in FY 2026‑27 (reflecting both continuation of the program and the expanded eligibility). Ongoing administration is estimated at about $491,339 annually (FY 2026‑27 baseline), including:
    • $370,639 from the Workers’ Compensation Cash Fund (surcharge on workers’ compensation insurers), and
    • $120,700 from the Physician Accreditation Program Cash Fund (fees charged to providers for training/accreditation).
  • CDLE staffing estimated to rise (combined new + continuation) to multiple FTEs in early years to handle increased applicant volume.
  • Fee impacts: CDLE expects additional providers to seek Level I accreditation; illustrative fee used in estimates: $200 per Level I accreditation (estimated revenue: ~$67,200 in FY 2025‑26; ~$38,000 in FY 2026‑27).
  • TABOR: increased cash‑fund revenue will affect TABOR refund calculations and reduce available General Fund set‑asides accordingly.

Who is affected

  • CDLE Division of Workers’ Compensation (program administration, staffing).
  • Health‑care providers who treat injured workers — expanded pool eligible for Level I accreditation (including optometrists and other Title 12 professions listed in utilization standards).
  • Workers’ compensation insurers (surcharge to cover program costs).
  • Injured workers (indirectly, through broader access to accredited providers).

Timing and other procedural notes

  • Program continuation effective following the bill’s effective date (standard: 90 days after final adjournment unless a referendum is filed). The act was signed by the Governor on 2025‑05‑29.
  • The bill includes an appropriation clause and directs CDLE to set administrative fee/surcharge levels based on program costs and participation.

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

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