The Division of Workers’ Compensation has issued a notice of public hearing for proposed evidence-based updates to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), which can be found at California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 9792.23.

The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 30 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Elihu Harris Building, 1515 Clay Street, Oakland. Members of the public may review and comment on the proposed updates no later than March 30.

The proposed evidence-based updates to the MTUS incorporate by reference the latest published guidelines from American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) for the following:

— Occupational Interstitial Lung Disease Guideline (ACOEM November 8, 2019)
— Knee Disorders Guideline (ACOEM December 3, 2019)
— Workplace Mental Health Guideline: Depressive Disorders (ACOEM February 13, 2020).

The proposed evidence-based updates to the MTUS regulations are exempt from Labor Code sections 5307.3 and 5307.4 and the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

However, DWC is required under Labor Code section 5307.27 to have a 30-day public comment period, hold a public hearing, respond to all the comments received during the public comment period and publish the order adopting the updates online.

The DWC has also posted an amendment to the Hospital Outpatient Departments/Ambulatory Surgical Centers portion of the Official Medical Fee Schedule.

The amendment adopts Addenda A and B of CMS’ hospital outpatient prospective payment system rate for Calendar Year 2020 found in the [January 2020 Addendum A CORRECTION.02042020.xlsx] and [January 2020 Addendum B CORRECTION.02042020] files, and replaces the original files for services rendered on or after March 1, 2020.

The order can be found at the DWC website’s OMFS page.