Workers’ compensation: qualified medical evaluators.

Assembly Member Wallis's workers' compensation reform legislation introduces standardized documentation requirements for qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) in California's workers' compensation system, establishing new protocols for medical-legal evaluations beginning January 1, 2027.

The bill requires the Division of Workers' Compensation's administrative director to create two standardized forms: a template QME report form containing all statutory and regulatory requirements for complete medical evaluations, and a joint medical evaluation request form for parties to use when communicating with panel QMEs. These forms apply to all medical-legal evaluations conducted after the implementation date. The legislation maintains existing requirements for written communications between parties and QMEs, including the 20-day advance notice period for sharing information and the right to object to nonmedical records within 10 days.

Under the new provisions, the administrative director must develop a method to evaluate QME report quality by tracking final orders from the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board or administrative law judges that identify reports as incomplete or insufficient regarding permanent disability or apportionment determinations. The Division of Workers' Compensation has until January 1, 2027, to adopt implementing regulations through the Administrative Procedure Act process. Existing penalties remain in place for prohibited communications, including potential contempt charges and liability for costs incurred by aggrieved parties.