Vol. 7, Issue 14

Find Solutions & Strategies April 4, 2016

The Highly Technical Time Frames Involved in Utilization Review

In This Issue

* UR TIME FRAMES

* LIEN FILING FEE UPHELD

* WCAB JOB OPENING

* MARCH CCC CITES

* NEWS

* eNEWSLETTER ARCHIVES

A Note From the Editor

Workers' Compensation Index

the highly technical time frames involved in utilization review

Can it be inferred that a communication of a determination 30 minutes after the deadline means the actual decision was made within that 30 minute time frame? Does the same 5 day time frame for making a UR determination also include the time to communicate the decision to the requesting physician?

By Richard M. Jacobsmeyer, Esq.

A recent WCAB panel decision has highlighted just how technical the time frames involved in Utilization Review (UR) can get when the WCAB is attempting to determine if it has jurisdiction to decide a medical treatment issue under either Dubon v. World Restoration, Inc. (2014) 79 Cal Comp Cases 1298 (Appeals Board en banc decision) or Bodam v. San Bernardino County/Department of Social Services (2014) 79 Cal Comp Cases 1519 (Appeals Board significant panel decision). The issue is crucial as timely Utilization Review determinations, properly communicated, are not reviewable by the WCAB and may only be reviewed through...read more.

appellate court dumps lien filing fee challenge

By Richard M. Jacobsmeyer, Esq.

The Second District Court of Appeal has handed down a decision affirming the legislature's creation of the lien filing fee as part of SB 863. In Chorn v W.C.A.B. a physician (Robin Chorn M.D.) filed a complaint joined by two injured workers in an effort to challenge on constitutional grounds the imposition of a lien filing fee. The court, with frequent references to Angelotti Chiropractic, Inc. v. Baker, rejected...read more.

wcab job opening

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Office of the Commissioners, seeks candidates to fill a full-time staff attorney position.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COUNSEL III (SPECIALIST)

$8,032.00 - $10,305.00 salary plus benefits...read more.

california compensation cases

March Cal. Comp. Cases Cites Now Available. Lexis.com and Lexis Advance subscribers can access it here.

california news headlines

CA: DWC Releases 4th Ed. of Physician's Guide to Medical Practice.

CA: DWC Posts Adjustments to Official Medical Fee Schedule (DMEPOS).

CA: WCIRB Actuarial and Governing Committee Agendas Released.

CA: DIR Issues Statement on RAND Analysis of Proposed Refinery Regulations.

Labor Secretary Says Workers Comp Opt Outs Push Injured Workers to Poverty.

OSHA Reports on Year One of OSHA Severe Injury Reporting Program.

OSHA Publishes Final Rule to Update Standards for Eye and Face Protection.

First Robot-Run Insurance Company Launched, Opens for Business.

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.

March 28, 2016: Why Calif. Workers' Comp Is So Hard to Manage.
March 21, 2016: Tips to Avoid Sanctions.
March 14, 2016: Disputing an MPN Physician's Release From Care.
March 7, 2016: Delay in Payment of Disability Retirement Benefits.
February 29, 2016: The MTUS and Treating Physician Reports.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS 2010-2015 ARCHIVES.

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