Healthesystems attended the August 14th meeting of the California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation (CHSWC). The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Administrative Director George Parisotto provided an extensive report on regulatory, technological, and research-driven initiatives to the Commission members. 

Parisotto noted several recent developments including:

• The appointment of Jennifer Osborne as the new Director of the Department of Industrial Relations
• The July 1st implementation of a new pharmacy fee schedule
• Updates to the MTUS guidelines on chronic pain and cannabis treatment
• Upcoming public hearings on additional MTUS guideline revisions.

Also mentioned were pending and upcoming regulations, including rules on interpreter fees, attorney depositions, supplemental job displacement benefits, and Qualified Medical Examiner (QME) process improvements. No specific timeframes were noted. 

Mr. Parisotto signaled there would be some upcoming activity in the coming weeks related to the in-progress Utilization Review (UR) rule proposal, including revised language on UR oversight, care coordination, and the Fast Pass Program (SB 1160). He noted a number of research initiatives in progress, on the sustainability of QME fees, early UR decisions, specialist access, and the impact of UR, IMR, and IBR processes on physician participation and telehealth.

The DWC is also working on modernizing their technology, including upgrades to the Workers’ Compensation Information System (WCIS), electronic injury reporting, and a full overhaul of DWC forms and website usability. The Electronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS) is also being modernized in partnership with the California Department of Technology.

Parisotto concluded his report with a brief summary of system trends including a 10% year-over-year drop in claims, potentially raising concerns about underreporting of new injury claims. IMR applications remain steady at 16,000 per month, with an 87% uphold rate. QME participation is growing, with 659 registered and 365 passing exams in 2025 to date. Anti-fraud efforts have led to the suspension of 19,000 physicians, and over 129,000 liens have been dismissed, totaling $1.4 billion.

Healthesystems will continue to engage with and report on these developments as they occur.