The Colorado workers’ compensation system is undergoing a significant shift that will reshape how physicians engage with injured workers.

With the passage of HB 25-1300, beginning in January 2028, injured workers will be able to choose any physician accredited by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC) as their primary treating provider. This change moves the system toward a more open, competitive model of care.

What’s Changing and Why It Matters

Historically, access to treating injured workers has often been limited to the employer’s discretion to a specific provider or group of providers. The upcoming change introduces a new dynamic in which injured workers have the autonomy to choose a primary treating provider.

For physicians, this means greater opportunity to serve injured workers directly, the ability to compete based on the quality of care and outcomes, and increased visibility for independent practitioners.  Rather than navigating administrative barriers, physicians will be able to build patient relationships through reputation, accessibility, and clinical expertise.

The Business Case for Treating Injured Workers

The workers’ compensation system offers several practical advantages for physicians and practices. The DOWC establishes reimbursement rates and evaluates them annually, helping ensure alignment with the level of care required. For example, reimbursement for evaluation and management services is set at 175 percent of Medicare. 

Additionally, providers are reimbursed for required forms, which helps support the management of the administrative components of care.    

The Clinical Experience: Focused and Impactful Care

Treating injured workers also presents a distinct clinical experience. Unlike broader primary care settings, where multiple conditions compete for attention, work-related injury care allows physicians to focus on a specific issue from the initial evaluation through recovery. This continuity allows physicians to manage a case from start to finish, see measurable progress over time, and support patients during a critical moment in their lives

For many providers, this focused approach can feel more impactful and rewarding than other settings. One board-certified family medicine physician with over 15 years of experience in diverse medical arenas, from the ER to primary care, shared: 

“Performing workers’ compensation care in Colorado has been the most fulfilling professional setting of all that I have been involved in… Workers’ Compensation allows me to focus on helping injured workers recover while using an evidence-based approach that is centered on attaining the best possible functional outcomes. Building relationships with patients and treating them as a whole person are key components to this care, and align well with the reasons that I actually became a physician in the first place.”

Preparing for 2028

As injured workers experience greater choice in medical providers in 2028, physicians may want to consider how workers’ compensation fits into their practice model.

Physicians who are the primary authorized treating physician (designated to manage the injured worker’s case) are required to complete Level 1 Accreditation through the DOWC. The training provides foundational knowledge on the care of injured workers, case expectations, and system requirements. A Colorado provider recently stated that the Level 1 Accreditation was “one of the best courses I’ve taken in my professional journey.” 

The shift taking place in 2028 represents more than a policy update. It introduces a new level of access, flexibility, and opportunity for physicians across Colorado. For those interested in expanding their practice, exploring workers’ compensation now can help position them for success in a changing landscape.

Providers with questions about Level 1 Accreditation or treating injured workers can contact the DOWC Provider Relations team by emailing cdle_dowc_provider_relations@state.co.us or by calling (303) 318-8122.