Opinion No. 35-1086
July 10, 1935
TO: Mr. G. F. Conroy, State Highway Engineer, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
{*73} This is in reply to your letter of July 9, 1935, stating that certain insurance companies have advised you that they would not reimburse chiropractors or osteopaths for services rendered employees of the State Highway Department covered by workmen's compensation insurance.
Section 156-118 provides for payment of "all reasonable surgical, medical and hospital services and medicine not to exceed the sum of $ 350.00."
I have examined a number of different definitions of medical services in Words & Phrases and I find that in some cases the term medical services is not limited to services of a physician but may also include services of nurses and watchers.
The legislature did not state expressly that such medical services must be rendered by a physician. While there is some doubt as to just what is the correct interpretation of this statute, I am inclined to believe that it would include the services of chiropractors and osteopaths. However, the matter can probably not be settled without a determination by some court action.
By: QUINCY D. ADAMS,
Asst. Atty. General