California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4.5 - Division of Workers' Compensation
Subchapter 1 - Administrative Director-Administrative Rules
Article 5.5.1 - Utilization Review Standards
Section 9792.10.4 - Independent Medical Review - Assignment and Notification

(a) The independent review organization delegated the responsibility by the Administrative Director to conduct independent medical review pursuant to Labor Code section 139.5 (IMRO) may consolidate two or more eligible applications for independent medical review by a single employee for resolution in a single determination if the applications involve the same requesting physician and the same date of injury.

(b) Within one business day following receipt of the Administrative Director's finding that the disputed medical treatment is eligible for independent medical review, the independent review organization delegated the responsibility by the Administrative Director to conduct independent medical review pursuant to Labor Code section 139.5 shall notify the employer, employee, if the employee is represented the employee's attorney, and the requesting physician in writing that the dispute has been assigned to that organization for review. The notification shall contain:

(c) Review conducted on a regular basis shall be converted into an expedited review if, subsequent to the receipt of the Application for Independent Medical Review, DWC Form IMR, the independent review organization receives from the employee's treating physician written certification with supporting documentation verifying that the employee faces an imminent and serious threat to his or her health as described in section 9792.6.1(j). The independent review organization shall immediately notify the parties by the most efficient means available that the review has been converted from a regular review to an expedited review.