DWC Posts Draft Benefit Notice Rules to Forum

Tuesday, October 24, 2017 | 0

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation posted proposed revisions to rules pertaining to notice requirements for denied claims to its online forum for public comment.

Senate Bill 1160 requires the DWC to adopt rules by Jan. 1, 2018, to provide workers with notice that they can access medical treatment outside the work comp system when a claim is denied. The proposed revision will add to benefit notices a statement saying, “Although your claim has been denied, if you believe that you still need medical treatment for your injury or illness, you have the right to obtain treatment outside the workers’ compensation system.”

The proposed notice would also inform workers that they can use health insurance to obtain treatment and, when doing so, should inform the treating physician that the injury or illness may be related to work. Additionally, it would say there are doctors, clinics and hospitals that will treat without immediate payment if a person doesn’t have health insurance.

The division will accept comments on the proposed amendments until Oct. 31.

The proposed changes are here.