Medical provider information
Topics on this page include
General information
Medical treatment information
Managing injured workers' claims
Disability rating
Retraining and return to work information
General information
Online physician education courses now available
DWC offers free online education courses providing continuing education credits for physicians, QMEs, chiropractors, and nurses. Current offerings include the use of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) and tips for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QME).
Online workers’ compensation community education - The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) offers online education courses for medical providers, claims administrators, case managers, attorneys and HR managers. We currently offer training modules on the use of the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), tips for Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs), and Medical Legal Report Writing.
Certified Health Care Organization
More health care organization topics
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about MPNs
Memo to health care providers interested in joining an MPN
Physician’s Guide to Medical Practice in the California Workers’ Compensation System - Fourth Edition, 2016
Searchable lists of approved medical provider networks are now available on the Department of Industrial Relations’ Open Data Portal at CA.gov
- Current list approved medical provider networks by approval date
- Current list of approved medical provider networks by name of applicant
More medical provider network topics
Information on reporting requirements for primary treating physicians
Medical treatment information
Medical treatment utilization schedule
Submitted utilization review plans
This is a list of the groups that have sent actual utilization review plans to the Division of Workers' Compensation. The list does not contain the names of individual employers that might be covered by these plans. The plans have not been reviewed by DWC staff.
More utilization review topics
Reporting suspected medical care provider fraud pursuant to Labor Code section 3823
Managing injured workers' claims
Injured on the job? Need to know your rights?
¿Se há lesionado en el trabajo? ¿Necesita saber sus derechos?
Glossary of workers' compensation terms for injured workers
Glosario de términos de compensación de trabajadores para trabajadores lesionados
Workers' compensation reference materials
Libros de referencia de compensación de trabajadores
More managing injured workers' claims topics
Disability rating
Most workers fully recover from job injuries but some continue to have medical problems. Permanent disability (PD) is any lasting disability an injured employee experiences, which results in reduced earning capacity after maximum medical improvement is reached. If an injured employee’s injury or illness results in PD they are entitled to PD benefits. Check out our fact sheets and guides page and click on fact sheet D for more information on PD.
For injuries occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2013, there will be a new method for calculating an injured employee’s PD rating. A QME or treating physician can no longer increase an injured employee’s PD by adding impairment in the form of sleep disorder or sexual impairment unless such impairments were a direct result of the injury. In addition, no increase in an injured employee’s PD on account of a psychiatric injury is allowed unless the physical injury was catastrophic or the injured employee was the victim of or a witness to a violent crime
Permanent disability rating schedule - 2005 
This schedule is effective for dates of injury on or after Jan. 1, 2005. This schedule will also be used to rate permanent disability in injuries that occurred before Jan. 1, 2005 when there has been either no comprehensive medical-legal report, or no report by a treating physician indicating the existence of permanent disability, or when the employer is not required to provide a notice to the injured worker under Labor Code section 4061.
Permanent disability rating schedule - 1997
This schedule is effective for dates of injury on or after Apr. 1, 1997
Guidance for Considerations in Rating Impairment from Industrial Cancer
Answers to practitioners' questions about applying the permanent disability rating schedule
Commutation templates and instructions .zip file
Templates and instructions to facilitate the calculation of life pension and permanent disability benefit commutations. When properly used, the templates assure that calculations are done in accordance with commutation calculation methods and tables that went into effect Jan. 17, 2001. The regulations and tables can be found in section 10169 and 10169.1 of Title 8, California Code of Regulations.
More disability rating topics
Retraining and return to work information
Getting employees back to work after an injury is one of the most important things you can do for them and their employers. Workers who return to the job as soon as medically possible have the best outcomes: They recover from their injuries faster and suffer less wage loss. You, the employer, the injured worker and the claims administrator should communicate openly and frequently for the best results.
An employer who qualifies for any of the existing return to work incentive programs will need to send information about work restrictions provided by you.
More return to work topics
January 2024