Vol. 6, Issue 24

Find Solutions & Strategies June 15, 2015

Untimely Independent Medical Review

Split WCAB panel finds untimely IMR, like untimely UR, is invalid

In This Issue

* NEWS: Legislative Counsel Explains $120M RTW Fund

* FREE PRIVACY WEBINAR

* NOTICE OF CORRECTION

* eNEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

A Note From the Editor

CCWC's Premier Annual Event

untimely independent medical review

Split panel finds untimely IMR, like untimely UR, is invalid

In Saunders v. Loma Linda University Medical Group, 2015 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS --, the WCAB, in a split panel opinion, rescinded its prior decision in which it found that the WCJ had no jurisdiction pursuant to Dubon II, to award medical treatment which had been denied by timely UR. The majority WCAB panel held that the IMR determination that issued following the applicant's appeal from UR appeared on its face to be untimely under LC 4610.6(d), and that untimely IMR, like untimely UR, is invalid such that...read more.

cwci tracks use of network physicians in calif. workers' comp and associated savings

Use of network physicians to manage California injured workers' medical care rose from just over half of all claims prior to the introduction of medical provider networks (MPNs) to nearly 80 percent of all claims after MPNs were fully implemented according to a new CWCI study that tracks network utilization over an 11.5 year span and examines their impact on workers' compensation medical costs...read more.

price controls on specialty pharmaceuticals

Global perspectives on the free market debate

Karen C. Yotis, Esq., our Feature Resident Columnist, provides insights into workplace issues and the nuts and bolts of the workers' comp world

We love our pharmaceuticals here in the U S of A and we pay through the nose for them too. According to 2014 health statistics from the Organization for Economic Growth Cooperation and Development, this great nation spends more on legal drugs than any other country in the world. Current research predicts that spending on the so-called "specialty" drugs like breakthrough Hepatitis C medication and various cancer treatments will balloon to $400 billion by 2020...read more.

california compensation cases

Decedent Electrician Suffered Injurious Exposure to Asbestos Fibers: Cal. Comp. Cases June Advanced Postings (6/9/2015). Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can read it.

Cal Comp Cases

California Workers' Comp Case Roundup (6/10/2015): May Cal. Comp. Cases Cites Now Available. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can read it.

california news headlines

CA: Workers' Comp Premium Rates "Soar" for Third Year in a Row.

CA: WCAB to Reorganize More WCAB Rules of Practice and Procedure.

CA: DWC Posts Changes to OMFS (Physician/Non-Physician Practitioner Services).

CA: Leg. Counsel/DWC: $120M RTW Fund Need Not Be Aggregated Year to Year.

CA: Three Calif. Hospitals Among Most Expensive Hospitals in Nation.

CA: Ins. Commissioner Appoints New General Counsel.

US DOL Plans to Issue Independent Contractor Guidance.

Economic Policy Institute Releases White Paper on Misclassification of Workers.

Liberty Mutual Pulling Back From Workers' Comp Insurance Market.

Liberty Mutual White Paper Supports Use of Nurse Case Managers.

Study Identifies the 50 U.S. Hospitals With Highest Charge-to-Cost Ratios.

JAMA's June 9th Issue Features 7 Articles on Americans with Disabilities Act.

Study: Using Health Information Technology to Improve Adherence to Opioid Guidelines.

Study: Medicare Drug Plans Favor Generic Opioids, Not Opioids With Deterrent Qualities.

Medicare Paid $377M for Tranquilizer Prescriptions in 2013.

Yeast-Derived Opioids: Less Costly/Addictive, But Potential for Illegal Opioids Exists.

HHS Reports 259M Opioid Prescriptions Filled in 2012.

lexisnexis free cle-eligible webinar: register today!

notice of correction: table 1 present value of permanent disablity

It has come to our attention that we inadvertently omitted the revised Table 1, Present Value of Permanent Disability, in the 2015 Edition of Workers' Compensation Laws of California. We apologize for the inconvenience and have included the corrected Table 1 for your use here.

eNewsletter archives

Take a deep dive into our past eNewsletters for 2015 and prior...warning - some links to articles may not work...report any linking problems to Robin.E.Kobayashi@lexisnexis.com.

June 8, 2015: Off-Duty Recreational Activity: Work- vs. Non-Work Related.
June 1, 2015: Two Viewpoints on South Coast Framing.
May 26, 2015: Due Process - A Constitutional Right.
May 18, 2015: Is the Timeliness of the IMR Decision Relevant?
May 11, 2015: New MPN Regulations: It's a New Medical Treatment Paradigm.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS 2010-2015 ARCHIVES.

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