The Division of Workers' Compensation has posted its proposed updates to the Notice to Employees poster and Medical Provider Network (MPN) regulations on an online forum where members of the public may review and comment.
The proposed regulations will update the poster to include:
• A statement that temporary disability benefits, for injuries on or after January 1, 2008, may not extend for more than 104 weeks within five years from the date of injury;
• Updated language regarding the use of MPNs;
• Removing vocational rehabilitation benefits reference based on the program sunset of January 1, 2009.
Changes to the MPN notice regulations:
• Simplify the required information in MPN notices for implementation, change of MPN and termination or cessation of use of an MPN and include proposed notice language;
• Notices may be provided electronically, on a pay stub, or with a paycheck;
• Limit distribution of the complete MPN employee notification to time of injury, hire or at transfer;
• Require employers to post a copy of the complete MPN employee notification next to the workers' compensation poster;
• Reduce the notice time period for MPN implementation and change of MPN to14 days and eliminate prior DWC approval for change of MPN notices.
The proposed changes are in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, sections 9767.12, 9767.16, 9880, 9881, and 9881.1.
The forum can be found through the link at the end of this article (though there's not much to view right now). Comments must be sent in by email to DWCForums@dir.ca.gov to participate.
The forum moderator will compile the comments received at least once a day and post them in a document to the forum where they can be reviewed. Comments will be accepted through February 4, 2009.
To view the forum,
→
CLICK HERE.
