Summary
Published Date: February 01, 2007
This report was produced by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research under contract to the California Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC), Department of Industrial Relations, which is required to perform an annual study of access to medical treatment for injured workers. In order to accomplish this goal, the authors conducted surveys of injured workers, providers authorized to act as the primary treating physician in Workers' Compensation cases, and payers.
The main objectives of this study were to:
- Establish baseline information regarding the proportion of injured workers and physicians reporting access and/or quality problems in 2006;
- Determine specific factors that promote or inhibit access to quality care;
- Quantify the extent of such barriers;
- Determine whether lack of access, if present, is substantial; and,
- Recommend methods of ensuring continued access.
This report was funded by the DWC.
