CWCI: Evaluation and Physical Medical Visits Down, but Payments Up 14%

Visits for evaluation management and physical medicine services in the state’s workers’ compensation system are down again, continuing a trend that started after lawmakers passed Senate Bill 863 in 2012, according to a study summary released by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. But while visits are down, the CWCI says payments have increased 14% thanks to several other reforms, including the adoption of a resource-based relative value scale, evidence-based medicine standards, mandatory utilization review and independent medical review. Payments for evaluation ...