Calif. comp regulators to allow electronic service of medical records

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation announced that permanent rules allowing electronic service of medical-legal reports went into effect earlier this week, saying the move will making expedite the process, resulting in faster delivery of med-legal reports and can expedite delivery of benefits to injured workers.

The DWC on Wednesday said permanent changes took effect on Tuesday, changing current rules that require providers to serve the reports by mail. However, the permanent rule follows an emergency rule that went into effect for nearly two years during the pandemic, the division said.

“The proposed regulation reduces waste by decreasing printing and postage through use of electronic service,” the division said. “Further, the parties receive the report faster, which results in benefits being issued to injured workers.”

WorkCompCentral is a sister publication of Business Insurance. More stories here.