What Providers Need to Know - Archived Updates
August 10, 2026
Webinar series: What Providers Need to Know
The Board is pleased to continue our webinar series for health care providers who treat New York State's injured workers. The sessions cover legislative and regulatory updates, recent and planned improvements, and more. For those who were unable to attend the previous sessions, you can view the recording on our Recorded Webinars section of the website.
The next provider webinar is scheduled for August 18, 2026. Read more in notification announcement - distributed via GovDelivery email dated July 31, 2026 or visit the Upcoming Webinars page on our website to register.
NYS Workers' Compensation Board 2026 Conference
The Board is hosting a Conference on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York. This full-day program is targeted to all who have a professional interest in the New York State workers' compensation system. Multiple CMEs and CLEs will be available!
Full details can be found on the conference page on the Board's website. Additional conference information will be added as it becomes available. Email Outreach@wcb.ny.gov with any questions.
Read more in notification announcement - distributed via GovDelivery email dated June 1, 2026.
Adoption of Amendments to Section 300.22 of Title 12 of the NYCRR (Regarding Changes to Workers' Compensation Law Section 21-a)
Effective January 1, 2027, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law an amendment to New York State Workers' Compensation Law (NYS WCL) Section 21-a. New York State Workers' Compensation Law (NYS WCL) Section 21-a currently allows payers to initiate compensation payments and payments for prescribed medicine for up to one year without admitting liability. The amendment to NYS WCL Section 21-a will also permit payers to provisionally pay for medical care.
The Chair has adopted the amendments to Section 300.22 of Title 12 of the NYCRR to implement and provide guidance on this change to the law.
The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published in the March 18, 2026, edition of the State Register. The Notice of Adoption was published in the August 5, 2026, edition of the State Register. The amendments will take effect January 1, 2027.
Read more in notification dated July 21, 2026.
Historic change to increase injured workers' access to medical treatment
Today, most provider disciplines must be Board-authorized to treat injured workers. Of the more than 200,000 eligible providers statewide, only about 10 percent have taken the steps to become Board-authorized, which significantly limits access to care, especially in rural areas.
Universal Authorization, which will take effect January 1, 2028, will allow every eligible licensed health care provider in good standing to treat New York's injured workers. No longer will the Board need to authorize those who wish to participate. Injured workers will be able to get care from their primary physicians or other providers they know and trust, as long as the provider is willing to treat them. This will be game-changing in terms of access to care, especially for rural areas and certain specialties where finding authorized providers has been difficult. For more information about universal authorization, visit 2026 State of the State Proposal: Universal Authorization.
Updated process for requesting Board records
The New York State Workers' Compensation Board (Board) has updated the authorization process for unrelated parties-of-interest to request and receive Board records related to a claim. A new Case Copies Request Form (Form OC-RR) has been created to request specific records, and Claimant's Authorization to Disclose Workers' Compensation Records (Form OC-110A), used for requesting authorization, has been updated.
Read more in notification announcement - distributed via GovDelivery email dated May 11, 2026.
Reminders
- Electronic submission of the CMS-1500 form is mandatory. Visit the CMS-1500 initiative page for more details and send your questions to CMS1500@wcb.ny.gov.
- Interested in treating injured workers? If you are interested in applying for Board authorization to treat injured workers, the process is easy and is done online. Read more about becoming authorized on the Board's website.
- The What Providers Need to Know section of the Board's website features a one-stop-shop that walks health care providers through getting started in the workers' compensation system, treating injured workers, billing for services, and more.
- Visit the Board's website for OnBoard training guides, webinar recordings, and other resources.
- Efficiency Enhancements is a quarterly bulletin with tips and best practices on using Board systems, processes, and forms in the most efficient, effective manner. Sign up opens external website to receive these, and other updates, straight to your inbox.
- The latest versions of several Paid Family Leave presentations are available, including family care, foster care/adoption, military leave, and bonding. Visit the Paid Family Leave website opens external website for more information.
Stay informed!
Check out Recorded Webinars for health care providers on the Board's website. Health Care Providers Recorded Webinars web page for past webinars.
To receive notifications from the Board straight to your inbox, subscribe for Board updates announcement - distributed via GovDelivery email.