San Francisco, CA – The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) will implement a new online panel process for represented initial panel requests on October 1, 2015. DWC will no longer accept or process paper submissions postmarked after September 3, 2015. The new process requires parties in a represented case to submit initial QME panel requests online and immediately receive a QME panel. The requesting party will then serve the panel request form, any required documentation and the QME panel on all parties with a proof of service.
“Our goal for the new online process is to further reduce delays. In most cases the QME panel will issue immediately, allowing the injured worker to schedule an exam with a QME more quickly,” said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). DWC is a division of DIR.
The DWC has posted an online QME Form 106 Panel Request training video and FAQs on the Medical Unit website. The video demonstration details the way in which represented initial panel requests will be submitted using the new online system.
“I encourage attorneys and claims administrators to view the training video to see how easy the new system will be to use and to become familiar with the process before October 1, 2015,” said Destie Overpeck, Administrative Director of DWC.
The notices of rulemaking, text of the regulations, and the initial statements of reasons can be found at on the DWC rulemaking page. The regulations are pending final review with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
QME specific information, which includes new training materials, is available on the DWC Medical Unit website.
Source: CA DWC