123rd MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1691		LR 1723(02)
	An Act To Improve the Independent Medical Examiner System
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Labor
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined current biennium cost increase - All Funds
			2007-08	2008-09	Projections 2009-10	Projections 2010-11
Appropriations/Allocations
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$5,600,000	$5,600,000	$5,600,000
Revenue
	Other Special Revenue Funds		$0	$5,600,000	$5,600,000	$5,600,000
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill includes ongoing Other Special Revenue Funds allocations of $5,600,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2008-09 to the Workers' Compensation Board for the costs associated with paying the fees of independent medical examiners to determine the extent and causation of work-related injuries that are at issue in a workers' compensation claim.  This cost estimate is based on information provided by the Board that indicates that the average annual cost since 1992 for independent medical examinations under Title 39-A, §312 is approximately $600,000 and the average cost for medical examinations under Title 39-A, §207 is $5,000,000, assuming 2,500 exams per year at an average cost of $2,000.
	The Workers' Compensation Board will also require an increase of the assessment cap to 15,600,000 in fiscal year 2008-09, $16,000,000 in fiscal year 2009-10, $16,400,000 in fiscal year 2010-11 and $16,800,000 beginning in fiscal year 2011-12 to fund the cost of paying the fees of the independent medical examiners.  Increasing the assessment cap will result in an increase in dedicated revenue of $5,600,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2008-09.
	Increasing the workers' compensation assessment will increase the cost to all State agencies for the workers' compensation portion of the personal services expense.  The increased cost can not be determined at this time.