California Passes WC Reforms Following Major 2012 Overhaul

California legislators have passed only a handful of Workers' Compensation laws since passing a major overhaul in the sector in 2012, says the California Workers' Compensation Institute (CWCI).

Five of the 17 Work Comp laws of 2013 deal with pharmacies and controlled-substance distribution issues. 

Two pharmacy bills eliminate the requirement for prescription copies to be sent along with requests for payment (SB 146), and require special state licenses for in-and-out-of state pharmacies that compound sterile drug products for sale or shipping to California while removing the option for accreditation from outside agencies (SB 294).

An amendment to a previous law dealing with medical board investigations of doctors suspected of causing patient death by over-prescribing a substance. Amendment SB 670 allows the board to copy a patient's medical records even if unable to contact the deceased's beneficiary or representative. It also expands the definition of unprofessional conduct to include a physician's repeatedly unexplained refusal to be interviewed by investigators.

An annual $6 fee was imposed on provider and dispenser licenses to fund the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) program. Pharmacies and clinics must report to CURES when they dispense controlled substances, but a provision requiring physicians to check CURES before writing such prescriptions was deleted.

The Occupational Safety and Health Standards board synced state safety and health standards for health care facilities with employees working with or near certain chemotherapy drugs with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health standards. The antineoplastic (tumor-reducing) drugs may cause rashes, infertility, miscarriages, birth defects and even cancers.

Other notable WC reforms in California this year include a restriction on out-of-state athlete's claims for sports injuries sustained in California; permit insurers to electronically transmit policy information; and allow the State Compensation Insurance Fund directorial board to appoint a chief medical officer and other C-suite insurance positions.