Board Bulletins and Subject Numbers
January 9, 2026
Section 21-a of the New York State Workers' Compensation Law currently allows payers to initiate compensation payments and payments for prescribed medicine for up to one year without prejudice and without admitting liability.
This section was recently amended to also allow payers to pay for medical care and treatment without prejudice and without admitting liability for up to one year. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027. This amendment will allow payers to pay for medical care and treatment without prejudice and without admitting liability even in claims where there is no compensable lost time.
The Board plans to propose regulations to help implement this amendment to the law. Payers should review the eClaims Trading Partner table changes posted on the Board's eClaims webpage, and update their systems accordingly.
Freida D. Foster
Chair