California employers’ moves to modify or deny medical treatment requests for injured workers were found to be the correct decision based on evidence-based medicine in nearly 93% of the cases that went through the independent medical review (IMR) process. The independent reviewers upheld the employers’ utilization review 92.8% of the time in the 133,430 IMR …
The Division of Workers’ Compensation’s anti-fraud unit (AFU) issued suspension notices to 349 providers who were tied to fraud, abuse, or failed to maintain their credentials. The total compares to 472 suspensions issued in the previous five years combined. The associated suspensions have taken some $1 billion in liens out of the system. “The sharp …
The Division of Workers’ Compensation held its annual educational forum again, and DWC Administrative Director George Parisotto gave attendees a sneak peak at what the Division is planning. Notable among the items coming down the pike are the Division’s move toward electronic reporting and its ongoing development of a utilization review database. Both, he says, …
The Division of Workers’ Compensation wrapped up a second public comment period and hearing for changes to the state’s copy service fee schedule, and officials say this was likely the last. “We’ll review all the comments and probably come up with a final proposal,” says DWC attorney Carol Finuliar. “We probably won’t have another hearing.” …