§1205.  Claim for payments; privilege of employee; non-assignability; exemption from seizure; payment of denied medical expenses

A.  Claims or payments due under this Chapter shall have the same preference and priority for the whole thereof against the assets of the employer as is allowed by law for any unpaid wages of the laborer; and shall not be assignable, and shall be exempt from all claims of creditors and from levy or execution or attachment or garnishment, except under a judgment for alimony in favor of a wife, or an ascendant or descendant.

B.  Any company which contracts for health care benefits for an employee shall have a right of reimbursement against the entity responsible for the payment of workers' compensation benefits for such employee if the company paid health care benefits for which such entity is liable.  The amount of reimbursement shall not exceed the amount of the entity's liability for the workers' compensation benefit.  In the event the company seeks recovery for such in conjunction with a claim against any other party brought by the employee, the company may be charged with a proportionate share of the reasonable and necessary costs, including attorney fees, incurred by the employee in the advancement of his claim or suit.

C.(1)  In the event that the workers' compensation payor has denied that the employee's injury is compensable under this Chapter, then any health insurer which contracts to provide health care benefits for an employee shall be responsible for the payment of all medical benefits pursuant to the terms of the health insurer's policy.  Any health insurer which contracts to provide health care benefits for an employee who violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be liable to the employee or health care provider for reasonable attorney fees and costs related to the dispute and to the employee for any health benefits payable.

(2)  The payment of medical expenses shall be recoverable pursuant to and in accordance with Subsection B of this Section.  However, if it is determined that the worker's compensation payor was responsible for payment of medical benefits that have been paid by the health insurer, the obligation of the worker's compensation payor for such benefits shall be to reimburse the health insurer one hundred percent of the benefits it paid.  If it is determined that the worker's compensation payor was responsible for payment of benefits and its denial of responsibility is determined to be arbitrary and capricious, then the health insurer shall also be entitled to recover legal interest on any benefits it paid, calculated from the date such benefits were due.

(3)  Any claim filed against the worker's compensation carrier by the health insurer or health providers in accordance with this provision shall not be subject to timely filing requirements, nor does prescription run until such time as the workers' compensation claim reaches a resolution by final judgment or settlement.

(4)  Any claim filed by a health care provider against a health insurer pursuant to this Section shall be filed no later than one hundred eighty days after the denial by the worker's compensation payor.

Acts 1995, No. 449, §1; Acts 2004, No. 554, §1.