Workers’ compensation health benefits pilot projects

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, workers’ compensation health benefits pilot projects are authorized under the provisions of this Code section. (b) The Commissioner of Insurance shall adopt rules to enable employers and employees to enter into agreements to provide the employees with workers’ compensation medical payments benefits through comprehensive health insurance that covers workplace injury and illness. The Commissioner of Insurance shall review all pilot project proposals and may approve a proposal only if it confers medical benefits upon injured employees substantially similar to benefits available under this chapter. The Commissioner shall revoke approval if the pilot project fails to deliver the intended benefits to the injured employees. (c) The comprehensive health insurance may provide for health care by a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization. The premium must be paid entirely by the employer. The program may use deductibles, coinsurance, and copayment by the employees not to exceed $5.00 per visit or $50.00 maximum per occurrence. (d) The Commissioner of Insurance shall report annually to the standing committees of the General Assembly having jurisdiction over insurance and labor matters by November 1 on the status of any pilot projects approved by the Commissioner. (Code 1981, § 34-9-122.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 2424, § 1.) 34-9-123. Policy provisions regarding effect of notice or knowledge by insured employer as to occurrence of injury. All policies insuring the payment of compensation under this chapter, including all contracts of mutual, reciprocal, or interinsurance must contain a clause to the effect that, as between the employer and the insurer or insurers, the notice to or knowledge of the occurrence of the injury on the part of the insured employer shall be deemed notice or knowledge, as the case may be, on the part of the insurer or insurers; 727 34-9-124 that jurisdiction of the insured, for the purposes of this chapter, shall be jurisdiction of the insurer or insurers; and that the insurer or insurers shall in all things be bound by and subject to awards, judgments, or decrees rendered against such insured employer. (Ga. L. 1920, p. 167, § 70; Ga. L. 1933, p. 182, § 1; Code 1933, § 114-606.)