The California DWC posts updated medical treatment utilization schedule

Oakland, CA (CompNewNetwork) - The California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has posted its proposed updated medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS) regulations to an online forum where members of the public may review and comment on the proposal. The proposed regulations structurally reorganize the MTUS, adopt and incorporate the ACOEM Practice Guidelines' revised elbow complaints chapter (2007) and adopt chronic pain medical treatment guidelines based on the chronic pain section from the Official Disability Guidelines.

The proposed updated MTUS regulations, commonly referred to as medical treatment guidelines, are authorized by Labor Code section 5307.27, which requires the DWC administrative director to adopt a medical treatment utilization schedule. The proposed changes are in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 9792.20 et seq.

The DWC obtained valuable input from the medical evidence evaluation advisory committee created pursuant to section 9792.23 of the MTUS regulations in the process of developing the proposal.

The forum can be found at http://www.dir.ca.gov/WCJudicial.htm. Please click on "current forums" at the top of the page. Comments will be accepted at the forum through Sep. 7, 2007. Please feel free to participate in this important process.