How many days does an employer or insurance carrier have to provide an employee with a change of physician form after a request?

• A. Five calendar days
• B. Five working days
• C. Ten calendar days
• D. Ten working days

Answer: (A)

In California self‑insurance plans, when an employee asks to change their treating physician, the employer or insurer must respond promptly by providing the Change of Physician form within a short, fixed period. The required timeframe is five calendar days. This means every day counts, including weekends and holidays, not just business days. For example, if the request comes in on a Friday, the form should be provided by the following Wednesday.

The emphasis on calendar days ensures the employee can move forward without unnecessary delay, rather than extending the window by banking only business days. Options that use five working days or ten days—whether calendar or working—would unnecessarily slow the process and are not the standard in this context.