If you find a doctor's medical-legal bill in a claims file 62 days after the bill was date stamped received, you should:

• A. Voluntarily add 10% plus 7% interest
• B. Send an objection to the bill immediately
• C. Deny the bill
• D. Wait until you are forced to pay the penalty

Answer: (A)

Late payment penalties on medical-legal bills under California workers’ compensation rules apply when a bill isn’t paid within 60 days of receipt. If the bill sits beyond that window, a 10% penalty is added and interest accrues at 7% per year on the late amount. Since this bill was received and date-stamped 62 days ago, the 60-day limit has been exceeded, so you must apply the 10% penalty and calculate the 7% interest on the overdue portion from day 61 onward. This ensures timely compensation to medical-legal providers and complies with the statutory penalty framework.