In order to help the public better understand the Kentucky Workers' Compensation system, the legislature in 1994 created the Workers' Compensation Ombudsman program.
In 1996, the legislature created the Workers' Compensation Specialist program to further assist the public as a low-cost means to resolve disputes as to entitlement to benefits and expedite delivery of services to injured workers. Specialists perform many of the same duties as the previous ombudsmen. The agency is now known as the Division of Specialists and Medical Services.