Utilization review process to be established with penalties for failure to meet certain requirements is governed by which Labor Code?

• A. Labor Code 129
• B. Labor Code 4062
• C. Labor Code 3212
• D. Labor Code 4610

Answer: (D)

Utilization review is the process used in California workers’ compensation to evaluate medical treatment requests for necessity and appropriateness, ensuring care is appropriate and cost-effective. The Labor Code section that specifically establishes this review process and provides penalties for failing to meet its requirements is the one that governs utilization review and enforcement. It sets up how the review is to be conducted, who conducts it, the timelines, and the consequences for noncompliance. That makes it the best choice because it directly ties the requirement to both the process and the penalties for not following it. The other Labor Code sections deal with different aspects of the workers’ compensation system and do not establish the utilization review framework and its penalties.