1. DWC

Information Regarding Public Records Act Requests for QME Panel Data

Please note the following guidelines for submitting requests under the Public Records Act (PRA) for Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel data:

Use the PRA request form and submit your request to DWC_PRA@dir.ca.gov.

Requests for panel data reports (such as panel number, date of issue, requested ZIP code, specialty, and the name, address, and phone number of the QME physicians listed on the panel) require the division to protect all individually identifiable information related to workers’ compensation claims as confidential and privileged. This includes information about entities such as employers, insurers, and law firms listed on the panel.

To obtain information about a panel, you must identify yourself as a party to the case and demonstrate that the governing law authorizes the division to disclose panel-related data to you. (Government Code, §7927.705; Labor Code, §138.7.)

Below are examples of four types of reports that do not contain individually identifiable information and are offered at no cost. When submitting your PRA request, please specify whether you want report 1, 2, 3, or 4 (listed below) and provide the applicable date range if required for the selected report.

1. Panel stock report – Report includes the count of panels assigned in every California zip code in all medical specialties. Requested zip is used to get the panel count. You must specify the date range for the report.
2. Panel stock report monthly breakdown – Report is the same as #1 broken down by a monthly count of panels assigned in the date range specified. You must specify the date range for the report.
3. Physician stock report – Report provides the current count of offices held by QME physicians in every California zip code in all medical specialties. Date range is not needed. Report provides the current count.
   
4. Count of times a QME is assigned on panels for each office listing and specialty contains “individually identifiable information” as defined in Labor Code §138.7(a). This information will be provided to either the QME physician or the requestor acting on behalf of a QME. A written, signed authorization from the QME must be provided, which includes the QME’s medical license number and the date range for which this information is requested in order for the division’s release of this information. The division will accept a digital document that has been signed electronically.

Please note that requests for other types of reports not described above, and that do not contain individually identifiable information, may continue to be submitted using the PRA request form, the preparation of which may have associated costs.

Exemptions - No Representation or Warranty

DWC makes no representation or warranties of any kind with respect to the information contained in records, or data provided in response to a PRA request, including but not limited to representations of accuracy, or warranties of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability.

January 2025