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Release Number: 2025-23
Date: February 27, 2025

DWC Issues Notice of 15 Day Public Comment Period for Utilization Review and Related Regulations

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) held a public hearing on July 25, 2024 and received public comments on proposed amendments to utilization review and related regulations, and applicable forms. DWC has considered comments received in the public comment period and has made modifications to the proposal based on some of those comments. The affected regulations are Title 8, California Code of Regulations, sections 9767.6, 9781, 9785, 9785.6, 9792.6.1, 9792.7, 9792.7.1, 9792.9.1, 9792.9.2, 9792.9.3, 9792.9.4, 9792.9.5, 9792.9.8, 9792.9.10.1, 9792.10.2, 9792.10.5, 9792.11, and 9792.12.

Some of the changes proposed in the modified regulations include the following:

  • Amending the use of the proposed PR-1 Treating Physician’s Report to be optional rather than mandatory.
  • Amendments to the Form PR-1 Treating Physician's Report and instructions.
  • Amendments to the UR plan application and modification submissions process.
  • Amendments to the Form UR-01 to allow use for either plan application or modification.
  • Amendment adding process for an RFA submitted via a non-designated address or number.
  • Amendment prohibiting deferral of an RFA when checkbox indicating “Resubmission – Change in Material Fact” at the top of the DWC Form RFA or proposed PR-1 is marked.
  • Amendment to written UR approval content made under the 30-day exemption to prospective UR.
  • Deletion of dates in regulations that are no longer relevant.
  • Rewording of some regulatory texts (non-substantive).

DWC will consider all public comments. The 15-day notice of modification to the text of the proposed regulations, the text of the modified regulations, and the modified forms can be found on DWC’s rulemaking page.

Written comments should be addressed to:

Maureen Gray, regulations coordinator
Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Workers' Compensation
1515 Clay Street, 18th floor
Oakland, CA 94612

The Division’s contact person must receive all written comments concerning the proposed modification to the regulations no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. Written comments addressed to the contract person may be submitted by facsimile transmission (FAX) at (510) 286-0687.

Written comments may also be sent electronically (via e-mail), using the following e-mail address: dwcrules@dir.ca.gov.

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