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Due to the severe weather conditions anticipated to impact Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties on Monday, 2/23/26, there will be no in-person hearings at Board locations in these counties.

CMS-1500 electronic submission is mandatory

Subject Number 046-1787 Amendments to Workers' Compensation Law Section 21-a Effective January 1, 2027

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