Changes to Workers’ Compensation Law
Section 21-a

As part of her 2025 State of the State proposals and in response to feedback from the payer community, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an amendment to Workers’ Compensation Law Section 21-a. This amendment will allow payers to provisionally pay for medical care under this section without admitting liability. Currently, WCL § 21-a only allows payers to pay for indemnity and prescribed medicine for up to one year without admitting liability.

This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027. The Board is proposing regulations to help implement this law.

This proposal will be published soon in the State Register and posted to the Board’s website. There will be a 60-day public comment period following publication in the State Register.

Questions?

Email regulations@wcb.ny.gov with questions.