ORDINANCE NO. BL2013-526

An ordinance amending section 3.24.020 of the Metropolitan Code pertaining to the treatment of accidental injuries arising out of and in the course of employment.

WHEREAS, section 13.12 of the Metropolitan Charter provides that the Metropolitan Government shall bear the expense for the treatment of employees injured by accident arising out of and in the course of employment; and,

WHEREAS, the cost of providing medical treatment to employees injured by accident arising out of and in the course of employment continues to escalate at an unsustainable rate; and,

WHEREAS, changes to the occupational medical treatment program are necessary to safeguard the program’s continued viability and to provide quality care for employees; and,

WHEREAS, the establishment of an injury-on-duty medical clinic will assist the Metropolitan Government in controlling the cost of treatment while providing appropriate medical care to employees that have sustained an occupational injury.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That section 3.24.020(D) of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the following language:

Coverages for members shall be both occupational and nonoccupational, but coverages for dependents shall be nonoccupational only. The board is authorized to establish a panel of preapproved medical providers to furnish treatment for in-line-of-duty injuries, to be known as the “in-line-of-duty medical treatment network.” Any in-line-of-duty medical treatment network shall be established in conformity with Section 13.12 of the Charter of the metropolitan government.

and substituting in lieu thereof the following language:

Coverages for members shall be both occupational and nonoccupational, but coverages for dependents shall be nonoccupational only. Any employee who is injured by accident arising out of and in the course of employment shall be entitled to emergency medical treatment at the nearest available medical facility, if necessary. Non-emergency treatment shall be furnished to the employee at an injury-on-duty medical clinic established by the Metropolitan Government or from a panel of preapproved medical providers established by the board, known as the “in-line-of-duty medical treatment network.” After June 30, 2014, or a later date determined by Resolution of the Metropolitan Council, in non-emergency situations, only specialized medical treatment that is not available at the injury-on-duty medical clinic shall be furnished to an injured employee through the in-line-of-duty medical treatment network. More detailed protocol and rules regarding how and when the injury-on-duty clinic shall be utilized may be promulgated by the Director of Human Resources in consultation with the Civil Service Medical Examiner, or the board as appropriate. The Purchasing Agent, after consultation with the Director of Human Resources, shall have the authority to award a professional services contract to a healthcare provider to furnish occupational medical services to employees at the injury-on-duty clinic. The contract to provide medical services at the injury-on-duty clinic shall be approved by the Metropolitan Council. In order for the Metropolitan Government to bear the expense for the treatment of an occupational injury, such treatment shall be obtained by the employee in conformity with the provisions of this section.

Section 2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ronnie Steine, Peter Westerholm

Amendment No. 1
To
Ordinance No. BL2013-526

Madam President:
I move to amend Ordinance No. BL2013-526 by renumbering the current Section 2 as Section 3 and adding the following new Section 2:

“Section 2. The provisions of this ordinance shall not be applicable to any person receiving a disability or service pension as of the date of enactment of this ordinance while he/she remains on pension.”

Sponsored by: Doug Pardue

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Introduced:	September 10, 2013
Passed First Reading:	September 10, 2013
Referred to:	Budget & Finance Committee Personnel Committee
Deferred:	September 17, 2013
Deferred:	October 1, 2013
Amended:	October 15, 2013
Passed Second Reading:	October 15, 2013
Passed Third Reading:	November 5, 2013
Approved:	November 6, 2013
By: