The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) reported a significant increase in Independent Bill Review (IBR) activity during the first half of 2026.

Approximately 3,675 IBR applications were filed through June 2026, compared with 2,541 during the same period in 2025. Of the IBRs filed in 2026, 2,213 applications were deemed eligible for review through June 2026.

IBRs are the administrative process, administered through the state’s IBR organization, that providers use to challenge workers’ comp medical payment disputes that are not resolved through second bill review. Higher IBR filings may signal growing provider challenges to California workers’ compensation medical bill payments.

In reviewing the 2026 IBR applications, the highest volume categories were:

• Physician Services with 1,822 applications
• Interpreter services with 1,231 applications
• Contract for Reimbursement Rates with 376 applications

Interestingly, pharmaceuticals had only one IBR application.

IBR decisions were overturned in favor of providers in 1,439 of 1,654 decided cases, an 87% provider success rate. Overturned IBR decisions ordered approximately $2.07 million in additional reimbursement to applicants during the first six months of 2026.