Medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS)

Doctors in California's workers' compensation system are required to provide evidence-based medical treatment. That means they must choose treatments scientifically proven to cure or relieve work-related injuries and illnesses. Those treatments are laid out in the medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS), which contains a set of guidelines that provide details on which treatments are effective for certain injuries, as well as how often the treatment should be given, the extent of the treatment, and for how long, among other things.

This website provides a link to the guide to MTUS regulations.

• Disclosure of conflicts of interest - (MEEAC)
• Frequently asked questions about the medical treatment utilization schedule
• MTUS rulemaking

Chronic Pain Medical Treatment and Opioids Treatment Guidelines Regulations

• Text of regulations
• Chronic Pain Medical Treatment Guidelines
• Opioids Treatment Guidelines – Executive Summary, Introduction, and Recommendations (Part 1)
• Opioids Treatment Guidelines – Supplementary Materials (Part 2)

Drug Formulary in the California Workers’ Compensation System

Assembly Bill 1124 (Statutes 2015, Chapter 525) requires the adoption of an evidence-based workers’ compensation drug formulary by July 1, 2017. The goal is to adopt an evidence-based drug formulary, consistent with California’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), to augment the provision of high-quality medical care, maximize health, and promote return to work in a timely fashion, while reducing administrative burden and cost.

Report:

• Implementing a Drug Formulary for California’s Workers' Compensation Program – RAND, August 2016
• Interim Status Report - July 2016

Related information:

• Implementing AB 1124 Drug Formulary and update of MTUS guidelines forum
• California’s Drug Formulary: An Overview
  
• Assembly Bill 1124
  
• California Workers’ Compensation Drug Formulary: Design, Implementation, and Impact Analysis Project Overview
  
• Implementing AB 1124 Drug Formulary forum comments
  

Resources

• Online physician education course now available
  DWC launches a free online education course for physicians and others interested in learning about California’s Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule. CME credit available at no cost.

What's New

• DWC Posts Draft Formulary Regulations, Related Documents to Online Forum for Public Comment
• DWC Provides Status Report on Drug Formulary, Updates to Medical Treatment Guidelines
• DWC Final Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Regulations, With Opioid Treatment Guidelines, Now in Effect
• DWC Posts Interim Report on Assembly Bill 1124 Mandating an Evidence-Based Workers' Compensation Drug Formulary
• DWC Posts Formulary Public Meeting Agenda and Related Materials to the DWC Forum

October 2016