REGULATORY ANALYSIS
FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RULE 11-11
OF THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION RULES OF PROCEDURE
7 CCR 1101-3

1.	Description of classes of persons who will be affected by the proposed rules, including classes that will bear the costs of the proposed rules and classes that will benefit from the rules.

The classes of persons affected by the rules are all persons and entities involved in the Colorado Workers’ Compensation system.  This includes, but is not limited to, injured workers, health care providers, insurance carriers, third party administrators and employers.

2.	Description of the probable quantitative and qualitative impact of the proposed rule, economic or otherwise, upon the classes of affected persons.

The purpose of the amendment is to update income eligibility guidelines used to determine if a claimant is indigent for the purpose of obtaining a Division Independent Medical Examination.  This amendment will mirror the standards that the state courts utilize for making determinations regarding indigence.      

3.	Probable costs to the agency and other agencies of the implementation and enforcement of the proposed rule and any anticipated effect on state revenues.

No impact on costs or revenues is anticipated as a result of the rule change.  

4.	Comparison of the probable costs and benefits of the proposed rules to the probable costs and benefits of inaction. 

Update of the Income Eligibility Requirements tracks the standards established for the judicial branch and will therefore increase consistency and efficiency. Not taking this action would result in the division having out of date standards for determinations regarding indigent status.

5.	Determination of whether there are less costly or less intrusive methods for achieving the purpose of the proposed rule.

There are no known less costly or less intrusive means.   

6.	Description of any alternative methods for achieving the purpose of the proposed rule that were seriously considered by the agency and the reasons they were rejected in favor of the proposed rule.

Statute requires a process for a claimant who is indigent to obtain a Division Independent Medical Examination.  Because the nature of this rule amendment is to update those standards to match the standards adopted by the Colorado Supreme Court, no alternative methods were seriously considered. 

Copies of the Notice of Public Hearing were provided to the:

Colorado Association of School Boards, 
Colorado Counties, Inc.
Colorado Municipal League
Special District Association of Colorado
Colorado Health and Hospital Association
Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry
Mountain States Employers Council
Colorado Self-Insurers Association