SB2521 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 14633 AEK 59515 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB2521

Introduced 11/8/2011, by Sen. Kyle McCarter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

820 ILCS 305/1	from Ch. 48, par. 138.1
820 ILCS 305/8	from Ch. 48, par. 138.8
820 ILCS 305/8.1a
820 ILCS 305/8.1b

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Defines "accident" and "injury." Provides that "injury" includes the aggravation of a pre-existing condition by an accident arising out of and in the course of the employment, but only for so long as the aggravation of the pre-existing condition continues to be the major contributing cause of the disability. Provides that an injury resulting directly or indirectly from idiopathic causes is not compensable. No longer allows an employee to choose in writing to decline their employer's preferred provider program. Makes changes concerning the determination of the level of permanent partial disability. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning employment.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Workers' Compensation Act is amended by changing Sections 1, 8, 8.1a, and 8.1b as follows:

(820 ILCS 305/1) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.1)

Sec. 1. This Act may be cited as the Workers' Compensation Act.

(a) The term "employer" as used in this Act means:

1. The State and each county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic, or municipal corporation therein.

2. Every person, firm, public or private corporation, including hospitals, public service, eleemosynary, religious or charitable corporations or associations who has any person in service or under any contract for hire, express or implied, oral or written, and who is engaged in any of the enterprises or businesses enumerated in Section 3 of this Act, or who at or prior to the time of the accident to the employee for which compensation under this Act may be claimed, has in the manner provided in this Act elected to become subject to the provisions of this Act, and who has not, prior to such accident, effected a withdrawal of such election in the manner provided in this Act.

3. Any one engaging in any business or enterprise referred to in subsections 1 and 2 of Section 3 of this Act who undertakes to do any work enumerated therein, is liable to pay compensation to his own immediate employees in accordance with the provisions of this Act, and in addition thereto if he directly or indirectly engages any contractor whether principal or sub-contractor to do any such work, he is liable to pay compensation to the employees of any such contractor or sub-contractor unless such contractor or sub-contractor has insured, in any company or association authorized under the laws of this State to insure the liability to pay compensation under this Act, or guaranteed his liability to pay such compensation. With respect to any time limitation on the filing of claims provided by this Act, the timely filing of a claim against a contractor or subcontractor, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be a timely filing with respect to all persons upon whom liability is imposed by this paragraph.

In the event any such person pays compensation under this subsection he may recover the amount thereof from the contractor or sub-contractor, if any, and in the event the contractor pays compensation under this subsection he may recover the amount thereof from the sub-contractor, if any.

This subsection does not apply in any case where the accident occurs elsewhere than on, in or about the immediate premises on which the principal has contracted that the work be done.

4. Where an employer operating under and subject to the provisions of this Act loans an employee to another such employer and such loaned employee sustains a compensable accidental injury in the employment of such borrowing employer and where such borrowing employer does not provide or pay the benefits or payments due such injured employee, such loaning employer is liable to provide or pay all benefits or payments due such employee under this Act and as to such employee the liability of such loaning and borrowing employers is joint and several, provided that such loaning employer is in the absence of agreement to the contrary entitled to receive from such borrowing employer full reimbursement for all sums paid or incurred pursuant to this paragraph together with reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses in any hearings before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission or in any action to secure such reimbursement. Where any benefit is provided or paid by such loaning employer the employee has the duty of rendering reasonable cooperation in any hearings, trials or proceedings in the case, including such proceedings for reimbursement.

Where an employee files an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission alleging that his claim is covered by the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and joining both the alleged loaning and borrowing employers, they and each of them, upon written demand by the employee and within 7 days after receipt of such demand, shall have the duty of filing with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission a written admission or denial of the allegation that the claim is covered by the provisions of the preceding paragraph and in default of such filing or if any such denial be ultimately determined not to have been bona fide then the provisions of Paragraph K of Section 19 of this Act shall apply.

An employer whose business or enterprise or a substantial part thereof consists of hiring, procuring or furnishing employees to or for other employers operating under and subject to the provisions of this Act for the performance of the work of such other employers and who pays such employees their salary or wages notwithstanding that they are doing the work of such other employers shall be deemed a loaning employer within the meaning and provisions of this Section.

(b) The term "employee" as used in this Act means:

1. Every person in the service of the State, including members of the General Assembly, members of the Commerce Commission, members of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, and all persons in the service of the University of Illinois, county, including deputy sheriffs and assistant state's attorneys, city, town, township, incorporated village or school district, body politic, or municipal corporation therein, whether by election, under appointment or contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written, including all members of the Illinois National Guard while on active duty in the service of the State, and all probation personnel of the Juvenile Court appointed pursuant to Article VI of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and including any official of the State, any county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation therein except any duly appointed member of a police department in any city whose population exceeds 500,000 according to the last Federal or State census, and except any member of a fire insurance patrol maintained by a board of underwriters in this State. A duly appointed member of a fire department in any city, the population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last federal or State census, is an employee under this Act only with respect to claims brought under paragraph (c) of Section 8.

One employed by a contractor who has contracted with the State, or a county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation therein, through its representatives, is not considered as an employee of the State, county, city, town, township, incorporated village, school district, body politic or municipal corporation which made the contract.

2. Every person in the service of another under any contract of hire, express or implied, oral or written, including persons whose employment is outside of the State of Illinois where the contract of hire is made within the State of Illinois, persons whose employment results in fatal or non-fatal injuries within the State of Illinois where the contract of hire is made outside of the State of Illinois, and persons whose employment is principally localized within the State of Illinois, regardless of the place of the accident or the place where the contract of hire was made, and including aliens, and minors who, for the purpose of this Act are considered the same and have the same power to contract, receive payments and give quittances therefor, as adult employees.

3. Every sole proprietor and every partner of a business may elect to be covered by this Act.

An employee or his dependents under this Act who shall have a cause of action by reason of any injury, disablement or death arising out of and in the course of his employment may elect to pursue his remedy in the State where injured or disabled, or in the State where the contract of hire is made, or in the State where the employment is principally localized.

However, any employer may elect to provide and pay compensation to any employee other than those engaged in the usual course of the trade, business, profession or occupation of the employer by complying with Sections 2 and 4 of this Act. Employees are not included within the provisions of this Act when excluded by the laws of the United States relating to liability of employers to their employees for personal injuries where such laws are held to be exclusive.

The term "employee" does not include persons performing services as real estate broker, broker-salesman, or salesman when such persons are paid by commission only.

(c) "Commission" means the Industrial Commission created by Section 5 of "The Civil Administrative Code of Illinois", approved March 7, 1917, as amended, or the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission created by Section 13 of this Act.

(d) To obtain compensation under this Act, an employee bears the burden of showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he or she has sustained accidental injuries arising out of and in the course of the employment.

(e) The term "accident" as used in this Act means an occurrence arising out of the employment, resulting from a risk incidental to the employment, and in the course of the employment at a time and place and under circumstances reasonably required by the employment.

(f) The term "injury" as used in this Act means a condition or impairment that arises out of and in the course of employment. An injury, its occupational cause, and any resulting manifestations or disability must be established to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, based on objective relevant medical findings, and the accidental compensable injury must be the major contributing cause of any resulting injuries. For the purposes of this Section, "major contributing cause" means the cause which is more than 50% responsible for the injury as compared to all other causes combined for which treatment or benefits are sought. "Injury" includes the aggravation of a pre-existing condition by an accident arising out of and in the course of the employment, but only for so long as the aggravation of the pre-existing condition continues to be the major contributing cause of the disability.

(1) An injury is deemed to arise out of and in the course of the employment only if:

(A) it is reasonably apparent, upon consideration of all circumstances, that the accident is the major contributing cause of the injury; and

(B) it does not come from a hazard or risk unrelated to the employment to which employees would have been equally exposed outside of the employment.

(2) An injury resulting directly or indirectly from idiopathic causes is not compensable.

(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; revised 9-15-11.)

(820 ILCS 305/8) (from Ch. 48, par. 138.8)

Sec. 8. The amount of compensation which shall be paid to the employee for an accidental injury not resulting in death is:

(a) The employer shall provide and pay the negotiated rate, if applicable, or the lesser of the health care provider's actual charges or according to a fee schedule, subject to Section 8.2, in effect at the time the service was rendered for all the necessary first aid, medical and surgical services, and all necessary medical, surgical and hospital services thereafter incurred, limited, however, to that which is reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the accidental injury, even if a health care provider sells, transfers, or otherwise assigns an account receivable for procedures, treatments, or services covered under this Act. If the employer does not dispute payment of first aid, medical, surgical, and hospital services, the employer shall make such payment to the provider on behalf of the employee. The employer shall also pay for treatment, instruction and training necessary for the physical, mental and vocational rehabilitation of the employee, including all maintenance costs and expenses incidental thereto. If as a result of the injury the employee is unable to be self-sufficient the employer shall further pay for such maintenance or institutional care as shall be required.

The employee may at any time elect to secure his own physician, surgeon and hospital services at the employer's expense, or,

Upon agreement between the employer and the employees, or the employees' exclusive representative, and subject to the approval of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, the employer shall maintain a list of physicians, to be known as a Panel of Physicians, who are accessible to the employees. The employer shall post this list in a place or places easily accessible to his employees. The employee shall have the right to make an alternative choice of physician from such Panel if he is not satisfied with the physician first selected. If, due to the nature of the injury or its occurrence away from the employer's place of business, the employee is unable to make a selection from the Panel, the selection process from the Panel shall not apply. The physician selected from the Panel may arrange for any consultation, referral or other specialized medical services outside the Panel at the employer's expense. Provided that, in the event the Commission shall find that a doctor selected by the employee is rendering improper or inadequate care, the Commission may order the employee to select another doctor certified or qualified in the medical field for which treatment is required. If the employee refuses to make such change the Commission may relieve the employer of his obligation to pay the doctor's charges from the date of refusal to the date of compliance.

Any vocational rehabilitation counselors who provide service under this Act shall have appropriate certifications which designate the counselor as qualified to render opinions relating to vocational rehabilitation. Vocational rehabilitation may include, but is not limited to, counseling for job searches, supervising a job search program, and vocational retraining including education at an accredited learning institution. The employee or employer may petition to the Commission to decide disputes relating to vocational rehabilitation and the Commission shall resolve any such dispute, including payment of the vocational rehabilitation program by the employer.

The maintenance benefit shall not be less than the temporary total disability rate determined for the employee. In addition, maintenance shall include costs and expenses incidental to the vocational rehabilitation program.

When the employee is working light duty on a part-time basis or full-time basis and earns less than he or she would be earning if employed in the full capacity of the job or jobs, then the employee shall be entitled to temporary partial disability benefits. Temporary partial disability benefits shall be equal to two-thirds of the difference between the average amount that the employee would be able to earn in the full performance of his or her duties in the occupation in which he or she was engaged at the time of accident and the gross amount which he or she is earning in the modified job provided to the employee by the employer or in any other job that the employee is working.

Every hospital, physician, surgeon or other person rendering treatment or services in accordance with the provisions of this Section shall upon written request furnish full and complete reports thereof to, and permit their records to be copied by, the employer, the employee or his dependents, as the case may be, or any other party to any proceeding for compensation before the Commission, or their attorneys.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the employer's liability to pay for such medical services selected by the employee shall be limited to:

(1) all first aid and emergency treatment; plus

(2) all medical, surgical and hospital services provided by the physician, surgeon or hospital initially chosen by the employee or by any other physician, consultant, expert, institution or other provider of services recommended by said initial service provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of referrals from said initial service provider; plus

(3) all medical, surgical and hospital services provided by any second physician, surgeon or hospital subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other physician, consultant, expert, institution or other provider of services recommended by said second service provider or any subsequent provider of medical services in the chain of referrals from said second service provider. Thereafter the employer shall select and pay for all necessary medical, surgical and hospital treatment and the employee may not select a provider of medical services at the employer's expense unless the employer agrees to such selection. At any time the employee may obtain any medical treatment he desires at his own expense. This paragraph shall not affect the duty to pay for rehabilitation referred to above.

(4) The following shall apply for injuries occurring on or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18) this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and only when an employer has an approved preferred provider program pursuant to Section 8.1a on the date the employee sustained his or her accidental injuries:

(A) The employer shall, in writing, on a form promulgated by the Commission, inform the employee of the preferred provider program;

(B) Subsequent to the report of an injury by an employee, the employee may choose physicians in the preferred provider program as provided in subsection (c) of Section 8.1a in writing at any time to decline the preferred provider program, in which case that would constitute one of the two choices of medical providers to which the employee is entitled under subsection (a)(2) or (a)(3); and

(C) Prior to the report of an injury by an employee, when an employee chooses non-emergency treatment from a provider not within the preferred provider program, that would constitute the employee's one choice of medical providers to which the employee is entitled under subsection (c) of Section 8.1a (a)(2) or (a)(3).

When an employer and employee so agree in writing, nothing in this Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability has been established under this Act, from relying in good faith, on treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination, by a duly accredited practitioner thereof, and having nursing services appropriate therewith, without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation benefits under this Act. However, the employee shall submit to all physical examinations required by this Act. The cost of such treatment and nursing care shall be paid by the employee unless the employer agrees to make such payment.

Where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm, hand, leg or foot, or the enucleation of an eye, or the loss of any of the natural teeth, the employer shall furnish an artificial of any such members lost or damaged in accidental injury arising out of and in the course of employment, and shall also furnish the necessary braces in all proper and necessary cases. In cases of the loss of a member or members by amputation, the employer shall, whenever necessary, maintain in good repair, refit or replace the artificial limbs during the lifetime of the employee. Where the accidental injury accompanied by physical injury results in damage to a denture, eye glasses or contact eye lenses, or where the accidental injury results in damage to an artificial member, the employer shall replace or repair such denture, glasses, lenses, or artificial member.

The furnishing by the employer of any such services or appliances is not an admission of liability on the part of the employer to pay compensation.

The furnishing of any such services or appliances or the servicing thereof by the employer is not the payment of compensation.

(b) If the period of temporary total incapacity for work lasts more than 3 working days, weekly compensation as hereinafter provided shall be paid beginning on the 4th day of such temporary total incapacity and continuing as long as the total temporary incapacity lasts. In cases where the temporary total incapacity for work continues for a period of 14 days or more from the day of the accident compensation shall commence on the day after the accident.

1. The compensation rate for temporary total incapacity under this paragraph (b) of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,

nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.

2. The compensation rate in all cases other than for temporary total disability under this paragraph (b), and other than for serious and permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and other than for permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e), of this Section shall be equal to 66 2/3% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,

nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.

2.1. The compensation rate in all cases of serious and permanent disfigurement under paragraph (c) and of permanent partial disability under subparagraph (2) of paragraph (d) or under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be equal to 60% of the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, provided that it shall be not less than 66 2/3% of the sum of the Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Illinois minimum wage under the Minimum Wage Law, whichever is more, multiplied by 40 hours. This percentage rate shall be increased by 10% for each spouse and child, not to exceed 100% of the total minimum wage calculation,

nor exceed the employee's average weekly wage computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, whichever is less.

3. As used in this Section the term "child" means a child of the employee including any child legally adopted before the accident or whom at the time of the accident the employee was under legal obligation to support or to whom the employee stood in loco parentis, and who at the time of the accident was under 18 years of age and not emancipated. The term "children" means the plural of "child".

4. All weekly compensation rates provided under subparagraphs 1, 2 and 2.1 of this paragraph (b) of this Section shall be subject to the following limitations:

The maximum weekly compensation rate from July 1, 1975, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, that being the wage that most closely approximates the State's average weekly wage.

The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period July 1, 1984, through June 30, 1987, except as hereinafter provided, shall be $293.61. Effective July 1, 1987 and on July 1 of each year thereafter the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during such period.

The maximum weekly compensation rate, for the period January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1983, except as hereinafter provided, shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act in effect on January 1, 1981. Effective January 1, 1984 and on January 1, of each year thereafter the maximum weekly compensation rate, except as hereinafter provided, shall be determined as follows: if during the preceding 12 month period there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act during such period.

From July 1, 1977 and thereafter such maximum weekly compensation rate in death cases under Section 7, and permanent total disability cases under paragraph (f) or subparagraph 18 of paragraph (3) of this Section and for temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this Section and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of this Section shall be increased to 133-1/3% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.

For injuries occurring on or after February 1, 2006, the maximum weekly benefit under paragraph (d)1 of this Section shall be 100% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.

4.1. Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the weekly compensation rate for compensation payments under subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section and under paragraph (f) of this Section and under paragraph (a) of Section 7 and for amputation of a member or enucleation of an eye under paragraph (e) of this Section, shall in no event be less than 50% of the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act.

4.2. Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding, the total compensation payable under Section 7 shall not exceed the greater of $500,000 or 25 years.

5. For the purpose of this Section this State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act on July 1, 1975 is hereby fixed at $228.16 per week and the computation of compensation rates shall be based on the aforesaid average weekly wage until modified as hereinafter provided.

6. The Department of Employment Security of the State shall on or before the first day of December, 1977, and on or before the first day of June, 1978, and on the first day of each December and June of each year thereafter, publish the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act and the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission shall on the 15th day of January, 1978 and on the 15th day of July, 1978 and on the 15th day of each January and July of each year thereafter, post and publish the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act as last determined and published by the Department of Employment Security. The amount when so posted and published shall be conclusive and shall be applicable as the basis of computation of compensation rates until the next posting and publication as aforesaid.

7. The payment of compensation by an employer or his insurance carrier to an injured employee shall not constitute an admission of the employer's liability to pay compensation.

(c) For any serious and permanent disfigurement to the hand, head, face, neck, arm, leg below the knee or the chest above the axillary line, the employee is entitled to compensation for such disfigurement, the amount determined by agreement at any time or by arbitration under this Act, at a hearing not less than 6 months after the date of the accidental injury, which amount shall not exceed 150 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or 162 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) at the applicable rate provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section.

No compensation is payable under this paragraph where compensation is payable under paragraphs (d), (e) or (f) of this Section.

A duly appointed member of a fire department in a city, the population of which exceeds 500,000 according to the last federal or State census, is eligible for compensation under this paragraph only where such serious and permanent disfigurement results from burns.

(d) 1. If, after the accidental injury has been sustained, the employee as a result thereof becomes partially incapacitated from pursuing his usual and customary line of employment, he shall, except in cases compensated under the specific schedule set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section, receive compensation for the duration of his disability, subject to the limitations as to maximum amounts fixed in paragraph (b) of this Section, equal to 66-2/3% of the difference between the average amount which he would be able to earn in the full performance of his duties in the occupation in which he was engaged at the time of the accident and the average amount which he is earning or is able to earn in some suitable employment or business after the accident. For accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011, an award for wage differential under this subsection shall be effective only until the employee reaches the age of 67 or 5 years from the date the award becomes final, whichever is later.

2. If, as a result of the accident, the employee sustains serious and permanent injuries not covered by paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section or having sustained injuries covered by the aforesaid paragraphs (c) and (e), he shall have sustained in addition thereto other injuries which injuries do not incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his employment but which would disable him from pursuing other suitable occupations, or which have otherwise resulted in physical impairment; or if such injuries partially incapacitate him from pursuing the duties of his usual and customary line of employment but do not result in an impairment of earning capacity, or having resulted in an impairment of earning capacity, the employee elects to waive his right to recover under the foregoing subparagraph 1 of paragraph (d) of this Section then in any of the foregoing events, he shall receive in addition to compensation for temporary total disability under paragraph (b) of this Section, compensation at the rate provided in subparagraph 2.1 of paragraph (b) of this Section for that percentage of 500 weeks that the partial disability resulting from the injuries covered by this paragraph bears to total disability. If the employee shall have sustained a fracture of one or more vertebra or fracture of the skull, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than 6 weeks for a fractured skull and 6 weeks for each fractured vertebra, and in the event the employee shall have sustained a fracture of any of the following facial bones: nasal, lachrymal, vomer, zygoma, maxilla, palatine or mandible, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than 2 weeks for each such fractured bone, and for a fracture of each transverse process not less than 3 weeks. In the event such injuries shall result in the loss of a kidney, spleen or lung, the amount of compensation allowed under this Section shall be not less than 10 weeks for each such organ. Compensation awarded under this subparagraph 2 shall not take into consideration injuries covered under paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Section and the compensation provided in this paragraph shall not affect the employee's right to compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c) and (e) of this Section for the disabilities therein covered.

(e) For accidental injuries in the following schedule, the employee shall receive compensation for the period of temporary total incapacity for work resulting from such accidental injury, under subparagraph 1 of paragraph (b) of this Section, and shall receive in addition thereto compensation for a further period for the specific loss herein mentioned, but shall not receive any compensation under any other provisions of this Act. The following listed amounts apply to either the loss of or the permanent and complete loss of use of the member specified, such compensation for the length of time as follows:

1. Thumb-

70 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

76 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

2. First, or index finger-

40 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

43 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

3. Second, or middle finger-

35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

4. Third, or ring finger-

25 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

27 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

5. Fourth, or little finger-

20 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

22 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

6. Great toe-

35 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

38 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

7. Each toe other than great toe-

12 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

13 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

8. The loss of the first or distal phalanx of the thumb or of any finger or toe shall be considered to be equal to the loss of one-half of such thumb, finger or toe and the compensation payable shall be one-half of the amount above specified. The loss of more than one phalanx shall be considered as the loss of the entire thumb, finger or toe. In no case shall the amount received for more than one finger exceed the amount provided in this schedule for the loss of a hand.

9. Hand-

190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

205 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

190 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18) this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly and if the accidental injury involves carpal tunnel syndrome due to repetitive or cumulative trauma, in which case the permanent partial disability shall not exceed 15% loss of use of the hand, except for cause shown by clear and convincing evidence and in which case the award shall not exceed 30% loss of use of the hand.

The loss of 2 or more digits, or one or more phalanges of 2 or more digits, of a hand may be compensated on the basis of partial loss of use of a hand, provided, further, that the loss of 4 digits, or the loss of use of 4 digits, in the same hand shall constitute the complete loss of a hand.

10. Arm-

235 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

253 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm below the elbow, such injury shall be compensated as a loss of an arm. Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm above the elbow, compensation for an additional 15 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 17 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the accidental injury results in the amputation of an arm at the shoulder joint, or so close to shoulder joint that an artificial arm cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of an arm at the shoulder joint, in which case compensation for an additional 65 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 70 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.

11. Foot-

155 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

167 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

12. Leg-

200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg below the knee, such injury shall be compensated as loss of a leg. Where an accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg above the knee, compensation for an additional 25 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 27 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid, except where the accidental injury results in the amputation of a leg at the hip joint, or so close to the hip joint that an artificial leg cannot be used, or results in the disarticulation of a leg at the hip joint, in which case compensation for an additional 75 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 81 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.

13. Eye-

150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

Where an accidental injury results in the enucleation of an eye, compensation for an additional 10 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006) or an additional 11 weeks (if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006) shall be paid.

14. Loss of hearing of one ear-

50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

Total and permanent loss of hearing of both ears-

200 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

215 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

15. Testicle-

50 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

54 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

Both testicles-

150 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly but before February 1, 2006.

162 weeks if the accidental injury occurs on or after February 1, 2006.

16. For the permanent partial loss of use of a member or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, compensation during that proportion of the number of weeks in the foregoing schedule provided for the loss of such member or sight of an eye, or hearing of an ear, which the partial loss of use thereof bears to the total loss of use of such member, or sight of eye, or hearing of an ear.

(a) Loss of hearing for compensation purposes shall be confined to the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per second. Loss of hearing ability for frequency tones above 3,000 cycles per second are not to be considered as constituting disability for hearing.

(b) The percent of hearing loss, for purposes of the determination of compensation claims for occupational deafness, shall be calculated as the average in decibels for the thresholds of hearing for the frequencies of 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per second. Pure tone air conduction audiometric instruments, approved by nationally recognized authorities in this field, shall be used for measuring hearing loss. If the losses of hearing average 30 decibels or less in the 3 frequencies, such losses of hearing shall not then constitute any compensable hearing disability. If the losses of hearing average 85 decibels or more in the 3 frequencies, then the same shall constitute and be total or 100% compensable hearing loss.

(c) In measuring hearing impairment, the lowest measured losses in each of the 3 frequencies shall be added together and divided by 3 to determine the average decibel loss. For every decibel of loss exceeding 30 decibels an allowance of 1.82% shall be made up to the maximum of 100% which is reached at 85 decibels.

(d) If a hearing loss is established to have existed on July 1, 1975 by audiometric testing the employer shall not be liable for the previous loss so established nor shall he be liable for any loss for which compensation has been paid or awarded.

(e) No consideration shall be given to the question of whether or not the ability of an employee to understand speech is improved by the use of a hearing aid.

(f) No claim for loss of hearing due to industrial noise shall be brought against an employer or allowed unless the employee has been exposed for a period of time sufficient to cause permanent impairment to noise levels in excess of the following:

This subparagraph (f) shall not be applied in cases of hearing loss resulting from trauma or explosion.

17. In computing the compensation to be paid to any employee who, before the accident for which he claims compensation, had before that time sustained an injury resulting in the loss by amputation or partial loss by amputation of any member, including hand, arm, thumb or fingers, leg, foot or any toes, such loss or partial loss of any such member shall be deducted from any award made for the subsequent injury. For the permanent loss of use or the permanent partial loss of use of any such member or the partial loss of sight of an eye, for which compensation has been paid, then such loss shall be taken into consideration and deducted from any award for the subsequent injury.

18. The specific case of loss of both hands, both arms, or both feet, or both legs, or both eyes, or of any two thereof, or the permanent and complete loss of the use thereof, constitutes total and permanent disability, to be compensated according to the compensation fixed by paragraph (f) of this Section. These specific cases of total and permanent disability do not exclude other cases.

Any employee who has previously suffered the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of any of such members, and in a subsequent independent accident loses another or suffers the permanent and complete loss of the use of any one of such members the employer for whom the injured employee is working at the time of the last independent accident is liable to pay compensation only for the loss or permanent and complete loss of the use of the member occasioned by the last independent accident.

19. In a case of specific loss and the subsequent death of such injured employee from other causes than such injury leaving a widow, widower, or dependents surviving before payment or payment in full for such injury, then the amount due for such injury is payable to the widow or widower and, if there be no widow or widower, then to such dependents, in the proportion which such dependency bears to total dependency.

Beginning July 1, 1980, and every 6 months thereafter, the Commission shall examine the Second Injury Fund and when, after deducting all advances or loans made to such Fund, the amount therein is $500,000 then the amount required to be paid by employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be reduced by one-half. When the Second Injury Fund reaches the sum of $600,000 then the payments shall cease entirely. However, when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to $400,000, payment of one-half of the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner herein provided, and when the Second Injury Fund has been reduced to $300,000, payment of the full amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed, in the manner herein provided. The Commission shall make the changes in payment effective by general order, and the changes in payment become immediately effective for all cases coming before the Commission thereafter either by settlement agreement or final order, irrespective of the date of the accidental injury.

On August 1, 1996 and on February 1 and August 1 of each subsequent year, the Commission shall examine the special fund designated as the "Rate Adjustment Fund" and when, after deducting all advances or loans made to said fund, the amount therein is $4,000,000, the amount required to be paid by employers pursuant to paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be reduced by one-half. When the Rate Adjustment Fund reaches the sum of $5,000,000 the payment therein shall cease entirely. However, when said Rate Adjustment Fund has been reduced to $3,000,000 the amounts required by paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be resumed in the manner herein provided.

(f) In case of complete disability, which renders the employee wholly and permanently incapable of work, or in the specific case of total and permanent disability as provided in subparagraph 18 of paragraph (e) of this Section, compensation shall be payable at the rate provided in subparagraph 2 of paragraph (b) of this Section for life.

An employee entitled to benefits under paragraph (f) of this Section shall also be entitled to receive from the Rate Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the supplementary benefits provided in paragraph (g) of this Section 8.

If any employee who receives an award under this paragraph afterwards returns to work or is able to do so, and earns or is able to earn as much as before the accident, payments under such award shall cease. If such employee returns to work, or is able to do so, and earns or is able to earn part but not as much as before the accident, such award shall be modified so as to conform to an award under paragraph (d) of this Section. If such award is terminated or reduced under the provisions of this paragraph, such employees have the right at any time within 30 months after the date of such termination or reduction to file petition with the Commission for the purpose of determining whether any disability exists as a result of the original accidental injury and the extent thereof.

Disability as enumerated in subdivision 18, paragraph (e) of this Section is considered complete disability.

If an employee who had previously incurred loss or the permanent and complete loss of use of one member, through the loss or the permanent and complete loss of the use of one hand, one arm, one foot, one leg, or one eye, incurs permanent and complete disability through the loss or the permanent and complete loss of the use of another member, he shall receive, in addition to the compensation payable by the employer and after such payments have ceased, an amount from the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7, which, together with the compensation payable from the employer in whose employ he was when the last accidental injury was incurred, will equal the amount payable for permanent and complete disability as provided in this paragraph of this Section.

The custodian of the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7 shall be joined with the employer as a party respondent in the application for adjustment of claim. The application for adjustment of claim shall state briefly and in general terms the approximate time and place and manner of the loss of the first member.

In its award the Commission or the Arbitrator shall specifically find the amount the injured employee shall be weekly paid, the number of weeks compensation which shall be paid by the employer, the date upon which payments begin out of the Second Injury Fund provided for in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of this Act, the length of time the weekly payments continue, the date upon which the pension payments commence and the monthly amount of the payments. The Commission shall 30 days after the date upon which payments out of the Second Injury Fund have begun as provided in the award, and every month thereafter, prepare and submit to the State Comptroller a voucher for payment for all compensation accrued to that date at the rate fixed by the Commission. The State Comptroller shall draw a warrant to the injured employee along with a receipt to be executed by the injured employee and returned to the Commission. The endorsed warrant and receipt is a full and complete acquittance to the Commission for the payment out of the Second Injury Fund. No other appropriation or warrant is necessary for payment out of the Second Injury Fund. The Second Injury Fund is appropriated for the purpose of making payments according to the terms of the awards.

As of July 1, 1980 to July 1, 1982, all claims against and obligations of the Second Injury Fund shall become claims against and obligations of the Rate Adjustment Fund to the extent there is insufficient money in the Second Injury Fund to pay such claims and obligations. In that case, all references to "Second Injury Fund" in this Section shall also include the Rate Adjustment Fund.

(g) Every award for permanent total disability entered by the Commission on and after July 1, 1965 under which compensation payments shall become due and payable after the effective date of this amendatory Act, and every award for death benefits or permanent total disability entered by the Commission on and after the effective date of this amendatory Act shall be subject to annual adjustments as to the amount of the compensation rate therein provided. Such adjustments shall first be made on July 15, 1977, and all awards made and entered prior to July 1, 1975 and on July 15 of each year thereafter. In all other cases such adjustment shall be made on July 15 of the second year next following the date of the entry of the award and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the weekly compensation rate shall be proportionately increased by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. Such increase shall be paid in the same manner as herein provided for payments under the Second Injury Fund to the injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, out of the Rate Adjustment Fund provided in paragraph (f) of Section 7 of this Act. Payments shall be made at the same intervals as provided in the award or, at the option of the Commission, may be made in quarterly payment on the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year. In the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then existing compensation rate. The within paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or his dependents, as the case may be, has been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Provided, that in cases of awards entered by the Commission for injuries occurring before July 1, 1975, the increases in the compensation rate adjusted under the foregoing provision of this paragraph (g) shall be limited to increases in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act occurring after July 1, 1975.

For every accident occurring on or after July 20, 2005 but before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly), the annual adjustments to the compensation rate in awards for death benefits or permanent total disability, as provided in this Act, shall be paid by the employer. The adjustment shall be made by the employer on July 15 of the second year next following the date of the entry of the award and shall further be made on July 15 annually thereafter. If during the intervening period from the date of the entry of the award, or the last periodic adjustment, there shall have been an increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act, the employer shall increase the weekly compensation rate proportionately by the same percentage as the percentage of increase in the State's average weekly wage in covered industries under the Unemployment Insurance Act. The increase in the compensation rate under this paragraph shall in no event bring the total compensation rate to an amount greater than the prevailing maximum rate at the time that the annual adjustment is made. In the event of a decrease in such average weekly wage there shall be no change in the then existing compensation rate. Such increase shall be paid by the employer in the same manner and at the same intervals as the payment of compensation in the award. This paragraph shall not apply to cases where there is disputed liability and in which a compromise lump sum settlement between the employer and the injured employee, or his or her dependents, as the case may be, has been duly approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

The annual adjustments for every award of death benefits or permanent total disability involving accidents occurring before July 20, 2005 and accidents occurring on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly (Senate Bill 1283 of the 94th General Assembly) shall continue to be paid from the Rate Adjustment Fund pursuant to this paragraph and Section 7(f) of this Act.

(h) In case death occurs from any cause before the total compensation to which the employee would have been entitled has been paid, then in case the employee leaves any widow, widower, child, parent (or any grandchild, grandparent or other lineal heir or any collateral heir dependent at the time of the accident upon the earnings of the employee to the extent of 50% or more of total dependency) such compensation shall be paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased employee and distributed as provided in paragraph (g) of Section 7.

(h-1) In case an injured employee is under legal disability at the time when any right or privilege accrues to him or her under this Act, a guardian may be appointed pursuant to law, and may, on behalf of such person under legal disability, claim and exercise any such right or privilege with the same effect as if the employee himself or herself had claimed or exercised the right or privilege. No limitations of time provided by this Act run so long as the employee who is under legal disability is without a conservator or guardian.

(i) In case the injured employee is under 16 years of age at the time of the accident and is illegally employed, the amount of compensation payable under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section is increased 50%.

However, where an employer has on file an employment certificate issued pursuant to the Child Labor Law or work permit issued pursuant to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended, or a birth certificate properly and duly issued, such certificate, permit or birth certificate is conclusive evidence as to the age of the injured minor employee for the purposes of this Section.

Nothing herein contained repeals or amends the provisions of the Child Labor Law relating to the employment of minors under the age of 16 years.

(j) 1. In the event the injured employee receives benefits, including medical, surgical or hospital benefits under any group plan covering non-occupational disabilities contributed to wholly or partially by the employer, which benefits should not have been payable if any rights of recovery existed under this Act, then such amounts so paid to the employee from any such group plan as shall be consistent with, and limited to, the provisions of paragraph 2 hereof, shall be credited to or against any compensation payment for temporary total incapacity for work or any medical, surgical or hospital benefits made or to be made under this Act. In such event, the period of time for giving notice of accidental injury and filing application for adjustment of claim does not commence to run until the termination of such payments. This paragraph does not apply to payments made under any group plan which would have been payable irrespective of an accidental injury under this Act. Any employer receiving such credit shall keep such employee safe and harmless from any and all claims or liabilities that may be made against him by reason of having received such payments only to the extent of such credit.

Any excess benefits paid to or on behalf of a State employee by the State Employees' Retirement System under Article 14 of the Illinois Pension Code on a death claim or disputed disability claim shall be credited against any payments made or to be made by the State of Illinois to or on behalf of such employee under this Act, except for payments for medical expenses which have already been incurred at the time of the award. The State of Illinois shall directly reimburse the State Employees' Retirement System to the extent of such credit.

2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to give the employer or the insurance carrier the right to credit for any benefits or payments received by the employee other than compensation payments provided by this Act, and where the employee receives payments other than compensation payments, whether as full or partial salary, group insurance benefits, bonuses, annuities or any other payments, the employer or insurance carrier shall receive credit for each such payment only to the extent of the compensation that would have been payable during the period covered by such payment.

3. The extension of time for the filing of an Application for Adjustment of Claim as provided in paragraph 1 above shall not apply to those cases where the time for such filing had expired prior to the date on which payments or benefits enumerated herein have been initiated or resumed. Provided however that this paragraph 3 shall apply only to cases wherein the payments or benefits hereinabove enumerated shall be received after July 1, 1969.

(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11; 97-268, eff. 8-8-11; revised 9-15-11.)

(820 ILCS 305/8.1a)

Sec. 8.1a. Preferred provider programs. Starting on June 28, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-18), this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, to satisfy its liabilities under this Act for the provision of medical treatment to injured employees, an employer may utilize a preferred provider program approved by the Illinois Department of Insurance as in compliance with Sections 370k, 370l, 370m, and 370p of Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois Insurance Code. For the purposes of compliance with these Sections, the employee shall be considered the "beneficiary" and the employer shall be considered the "insured". Employers and insurers contracting directly with providers or utilizing multiple preferred provider programs to implement a preferred provider program providing workers' compensation benefits shall be subject to the above requirements of Article XX-1/2 applicable to administrators with regard to such program, with the exception of Section 370l of the Illinois Insurance Code.

(a) In addition to the above requirements of Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois Insurance Code, all preferred provider programs under this Section shall meet the following requirements:

(1) The provider network shall include an adequate number of occupational and non-occupational providers.

(2) The provider network shall include an adequate number and type of physicians or other providers to treat common injuries experienced by injured workers in the geographic area where the employees reside.

(3) Medical treatment for injuries shall be readily available at reasonable times to all employees. To the extent feasible, all medical treatment for injuries shall be readily accessible to all employees.

(4) Physician compensation shall not be structured in order to achieve the goal of inappropriately reducing, delaying, or denying medical treatment or restricting access to medical treatment.

(5) Before entering into any agreement under this Section, a program shall establish terms and conditions that must be met by noninstitutional providers wishing to enter into an agreement with the program. These terms and conditions may not discriminate unreasonably against or among noninstitutional providers. Neither difference in prices among noninstitutional providers produced by a process of individual negotiation nor price differences among other noninstitutional providers in different geographical areas or different specialties constitutes unreasonable discrimination.

(b) The administrator of any preferred provider program under this Act that uses economic evaluation shall file with the Director of Insurance a description of any policies and procedures related to economic evaluation utilized by the program. The filing shall describe how these policies and procedures are used in utilization review, peer review, incentive and penalty programs, and in provider retention and termination decisions. The Director of Insurance may deny approval of any preferred provider program that uses any policy or procedure of economic evaluation to inappropriately reduce, delay or deny medical treatment, or to restrict access to medical treatment. Evaluation of providers based upon objective medical quality and patient outcome measurements, appropriate use of best clinical practices and evidence based medicine, and use of health information technology shall be permitted. If approved, the employer shall provide a copy of the filing to all participating providers.

(1) The Director of the Department of Insurance shall make each administrator's filing available to the public upon request. The Director of the Department of Insurance may not publicly disclose any information submitted pursuant to this Section that is determined by the Director of the Department of Insurance to be confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information pursuant to State or federal law.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection (b), "economic evaluation" shall mean any evaluation of a particular physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association based in whole or in part on the economic costs or utilization of services associated with medical care provided or authorized by the physician, provider, medical group, or individual practice association. Economic evaluation shall not include negotiated rates with a provider.

(c) For Except for the provisions of subsection (a)(4) of Section 8 and for injuries occurring on or after June 28, 2011 the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, an employee of an employer utilizing a preferred provider program shall only be allowed to select a participating network provider from the network. An employer shall be responsible for: (i) all first aid and emergency treatment; (ii) all medical, surgical, and hospital services provided by the participating network provider initially selected by the employee or by any other participating network provider recommended by the initial participating network provider or any subsequent participating network provider in the chain of referrals from the initial participating network provider; and (iii) all medical, surgical, and hospital services provided by the participating network provider subsequently chosen by the employee or by any other participating network provider recommended by the subsequent participating network provider or any subsequent participating network provider in the chain of referrals from the second participating network provider. An employer shall not be liable for services determined by the Commission not to be compensable. An employer shall not be liable for medical services provided by a non-authorized provider when proper notice is provided to the injured worker.

(1) When the injured employee notifies the employer of the injury or files a claim for workers' compensation with the employer, the employer shall notify the employee of his or her right to be treated by a physician of his or her choice from the preferred provider network established pursuant to this Section, and the method by which the list of participating network providers may be accessed by the employee, except as provided in subsection (a)(4) of Section 8.

(2) Consistent with Article XX-1/2 of the Illinois Insurance Code, treatment by a specialist who is not a member of the preferred provider network shall be permitted on a case-by-case basis if the medical provider network does not contain a physician who can provide the approved treatment, and if the employee has complied with any pre-authorization requirements of the preferred provider network. Consent for the employee to visit an out-of-network provider may not be unreasonably withheld. When a non-network provider is authorized pursuant to this subparagraph (2), the non-network provider shall not hold an employee liable for costs except as provided in subsection (e) of Section 8.2.

(3) The Director shall not approve, and may withdraw prior approval of, a preferred provider program that fails to provide an injured employee with sufficient access to necessary treating physicians, surgeons, and specialists.

(d) Except as provided in subsection (a)(4) of Section 8, upon a finding by the Commission that the care being rendered by the employee's second choice of provider within the employer's network is improper or inadequate, the employee may then choose a provider outside of the network at the employer's expense. The Commission shall issue a decision on any petition filed pursuant to this Section within 5 working days.

(e) The Director of the Department of Insurance may promulgate such rules as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Section relating to approval and regulation of preferred provider programs.

(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)

(820 ILCS 305/8.1b)

Sec. 8.1b. Determination of permanent partial disability. For accidental injuries that occur on or after September 1, 2011, permanent partial disability shall be established using the following criteria:

(a) A physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches preparing a permanent partial disability impairment report shall report the level of impairment in writing. The report shall include an evaluation of medically defined and professionally appropriate measurements of impairment that include, but are not limited to: loss of range of motion; loss of strength; measured atrophy of tissue mass consistent with the injury; and any other measurements that establish the nature and extent of the impairment. The most current edition of the American Medical Association's "Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment" shall be used by the physician in determining the level of impairment.

(b) In determining the level of permanent partial disability, the Commission shall base its determination on the following factors: (i) the reported level of impairment pursuant to subsection (a); (ii) the occupation of the injured employee; (iii) the age of the employee at the time of the injury; (iv) the employee's future earning capacity; and (v) evidence of disability corroborated by objective findings in the treating medical records. No single enumerated factor shall be the sole determinant of disability. In determining the level of disability, the relevance and weight of any factors used in addition to the level of impairment as reported by the physician must be explained in a written order.

(Source: P.A. 97-18, eff. 6-28-11.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.