Attorney panel to vote on which doctors can serve as workers' comp arbiters

A state-appointed panel of attorneys will meet four times in June and July to decide which physicians can serve as second independent medical examiners in disputed workers' compensation cases across Alaska.

The panel will vote on including, excluding, retaining, and removing doctors from the Workers' Compensation Board's list of second independent medical examiners. These physicians break deadlocks when injured workers and employers disagree on medical treatment or disability ratings, affecting outcomes for both parties in disputed claims. The meetings are scheduled for June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 17, all from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The panel operates under Alaska Administrative Code 8 AAC 45.092 and consists of attorneys chosen by the Labor Commissioner.

All meetings will be held by telephone and video conference. To participate by phone, call 888-788-0099 and enter Meeting ID 890 9623 7522. To join by Zoom, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89096237522.

People with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Alexis Hildebrand at 907-465-6059 or [email protected] at least ten working days before each meeting.

For more information, contact the Division of Workers' Compensation at 907-465-2790 or [email protected].