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NewsCalifornia's Division of Workers' Compensation updates hospital outpatient department and ambulatory surgical center fee schedule for October 2026 Medicare changes
By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - October 7, 2026The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has posted an order updating the Hospital Outpatient Departments and Ambulatory Surgical Centers section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule to reflect changes to the Medicare payment system, as required by Labor Code section 5307.1.
The order adopts the following fourth-quarter 2026 Medicare updates for services rendered on or after October 1, 2026:
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California Division of Workers' Compensation updates durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies fee schedule for October 2026 Medicare changes
By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - October 5, 2026 The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has posted an order updating the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) section of the Official Medical Fee Schedule to reflect changes to the Medicare payment system, as required by Labor Code section 5307.1.
The order adopts Medicare's fourth-quarter 2026 updates to the DMEPOS Fee Schedule for services rendered on or after October 1, 2026.
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California Division of Workers' Compensation updates physician and non-physician practitioner services fee schedule for October 2026 Medicare changes
By Lonce Lamonte, editor, editing the CA DWC Newsline news release - October 2, 2026The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has posted an order updating the physician and non-physician practitioner services portion of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS) to reflect changes to the Medicare payment system, as required by Labor Code section 5307.1.
The order adopts the following fourth-quarter 2026 Medicare updates for services rendered on or after October 1, 2026:
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Medicare National Physician Fee Schedule Relative Value File quarterly update, effective October 1, 2026 (RVU26D; updated August 26, 2026)
• Updated Practitioner Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) Edits
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Medical service costs rising with payments and utilization in California workers' compensation
By adjustercom Staff - September 22, 2026The Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) has released its Medical Service Cost Trends Report. It looks at factors which shape medical cost growth in California's workers' compensation system.
The California workers' compensation medical service costs in California rose 5% last year on top of growth in both average payments and utilization.
Medical costs accounted for 52% of the total loss payments in the workers' compensation system. Medical service costs rose moderately in the year 2025, and the WCIRB report shows emerging trends influenced costs across the system. This included accelerating growth in certain services not subject to fee schedule reimbursements limits and increasing costs associated with cumulative trauma claims.
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September 15, 2026 - California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) issues notice of public hearing on proposed evidence-based update to the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule September 15, 2026 - California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meeting scheduled for October 21, 2026 September 11, 2026 - Nicole Richardson appointed California Division of Workers' Compensation Administrative Director September 10, 2026 - California workers' compensation medical costs rise 5% in 2026 per the WCIRB August 27, 2026 - California's DIR, DWC release report on access to medical care in California’s workers’ compensation system August 19, 2026 - California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation releases report on Senate Bill 1160’s impact on utilization review  News Archive
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