Can Access to Medical Care in California Workers' Compensation Be Improved? (Report to the Industry, Published 03/22)

A detailed analysis of injured worker access to workers’ compensation treatment in California, based on an analysis of 1.5 million claims from accident year 2010 through accident year 2020.  The report measures the average and median amount of time between the employers’ notification of an injury and the first treatment, with additional breakouts showing the amount of time that injured workers wait for an initial evaluation and management visit, an initial physical therapy visit, and an initial visit for the five most common workers’ compensation surgical procedures.  In addition, the study includes results of individual interviews with physicians and clinic managers who offer their perspectives on the administrative burdens associated with rendering medical care in California workers’ compensation.