California changed how injured workers get medical treatment approved. Starting April 1, 2026, new rules make it easier to get the care you need without long waits. Recent legislation forced the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to fix a broken system that left workers in pain while insurance companies delayed approvals.
What changed in the new law
The DWC updated its Utilization Review (UR) regulations to speed up treatment decisions following the passage of Senate Bill 1160 and Assembly Bill 1124. Insurance companies now face stricter deadlines when you request medical care. The changes target routine treatments that doctors commonly prescribe for workplace injuries.
Workers can now expect faster responses when they need physical therapy, medications or follow-up appointments. The new rules cut down on unnecessary paperwork that previously slowed everything down. Insurance adjusters must justify denials more clearly than before.
Who these changes affect
These updates impact every worker in California who files a workers’ compensation claim. The new requirements apply to:
- Factory workers who hurt their backs lifting heavy boxes and need quicker approval for physical therapy
- Construction workers who injure their shoulders and can start treatment sooner
- Healthcare workers dealing with repetitive strain injuries from lifting patients who face fewer delays getting the care their doctors recommend
- Delivery drivers, electricians, plumbers and agricultural workers who suffer job-related injuries
These workers previously waited weeks or months for insurance companies to approve basic medical care their doctors ordered.
The changes also affect insurance companies and employers. They must now process requests faster and follow tighter timelines. According to California Labor Code Section 4600, employers must provide all medical treatment required (within reason) to cure or relieve the effects of a work injury.
How this helps injured workers
Faster approvals mean you can start healing sooner instead of waiting weeks for insurance company decisions. When you break your wrist operating machinery or strain your back making deliveries, every day without treatment makes recovery harder. The new system reduces the time insurance companies have to review standard treatment requests.
You may also see fewer denials for common treatments that doctors regularly prescribe. Insurance companies previously denied legitimate requests to save money, knowing workers would give up fighting the system. The updated rules make it harder for adjusters to reject necessary care without solid medical reasons.
Potential problems that still exist
The law does not eliminate all delays or guarantee approval for every treatment request. Insurance companies still review your medical needs and can deny treatments they consider unnecessary. Complex procedures or expensive treatments may still face lengthy review processes.
Workers who do not understand the new timelines might miss important deadlines to challenge denials. The system still favors insurance companies with legal teams and resources. San Diego workers’ compensation attorneys like Leslie Shaw can explain how these changes apply to your injury. She can help you navigate the approval process when insurance companies drag their feet or deny legitimate treatment requests.
What happens if insurance companies violate the new rules
Insurance companies that miss the new deadlines face penalties. Those penalties do not always force them to approve your treatment right away. You may need to file more paperwork or appeals to get the care your doctor ordered.
Delayed treatment can make your injury worse. That damage may become permanent. A skilled workers’ compensation lawyer can push back against delays and fight for the treatment you need now.
Your body cannot wait while insurance companies protect their profits.