The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted its 2020 Independent Bill Review (IBR) Report, summarizing the performance of the division’s IBR program from 2018-2019. IBR, which first went into effect in January 2013 under the reforms instituted by SB 863, created a non-judicial process for resolving medical treatment and medical-legal billing payment disputes in the workers’ compensation system. DWC, in coordination with the current IBR Organization Maximus Federal Services, annually reviews and reports program statistics.

Highlights of the annual report include:

• The number of IBR applications received averaged 140 filings per month during 2018-2019.
• IBR cases were resolved, on average, in 43 days from the date assigned to an IBR reviewer.
• In 2019, eight of 10 decided cases resulted in additional payment for the provider. 
• Over $3.8 million was awarded in overturned case decisions in 2018-2019. 

Providers are reminded that if they disagree with the outcome of a bill after completion of the required secondary bill review, the IBR process remains an option.

For more information on the Independent Bill Review program, please visit the DWC website.