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NEWS RELEASE
Release Number: 2020-46
May 27, 2020

DWC Posts ACOEM’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Guideline on MTUS

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) and MDGuidelines have released a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Clinical Practice Guideline. The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) supports this guidance and plans to adopt and incorporate the ACOEM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guideline into the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS).

At this time, however, the evidence-based management of this disease is fluid and evolving and as a result guidelines are published frequently. DWC will wait to adopt and incorporate ACOEM's COVID-19 Guideline into the MTUS until the frequency of updates slows to a point where the formal adoption process can be completed.

In the meantime, for treatment recommendations pertaining to COVID-19, follow the MTUS Medical Evidence Search Sequence found in California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 9792.21.1. This regulatory search sequence requires a search of the most current version of ACOEM guidance. The ACOEM COVID-19 Guideline meets that criteria.