CWCI: Payments for Med-Legal Services Exceeded Anticipated Increase Under New Fee Schedule

Payments for medical-legal services increased more than the 25% anticipated by the Division of Workers’ Compensation under the Medical Legal Fee Schedule that took effect in 2021, according to a report by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. The average payment for a comprehensive medical-legal evaluation increased by 52% after the new fee schedule took effect, CWCI said in Bulletin No. 24-6. Per-page fees for record review were the primary driver of costs, according to CWCI. CWCI also reported that the year 2023 saw a nearly 6% increase in the number of qualified medi...