COVID-19: California Emergency Rule Allows Medical-Legal Telehealth Evaluations | 2022-02-14

Sacramento, CA – With the goal of protecting physicians and injured workers from exposure to COVID-19, the California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers’ Compensation has adopted a emergency regulation which makes it possible to carry out medical-legal evaluations via telecommunications health.

With effect from 18 January, the regulation also reduces the use of personal protective equipment and provides flexibility in the assessment site’s locations – both of which can help injured workers and employers move their workers’ compensation claims forward, according to a DIR press release. It is set to expire on July 19 with the option of two 90-day extensions.

The DWC first filed the ordinance with the State Office of Administrative Law on January 5, and received public comment and feedback from the OAL through January 10.