The California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has updated and posted answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Utilization Review (UR) on its web site to help claims administrators, employers and workers better understand UR rules and to address typical questions that arise in the UR process.

The updated FAQ’s among other things address the following:

• cover a new topic regarding "Requests for authorization" (RFA’s)
• offer more detailed information about "Prior authorization"
• include discussion of the UR investigation process
• reference the California Supreme Court’s 2008 Sandhagen ruling, which held that UR is mandatory and is required in every case, but not necessarily for every treatment request

The FAQ’s can be accessed via the link below: 

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/UtilizationReview/UR_FAQ.htm