Who shall assign three panels of qualified medical evaluators within five working days after receiving a request?

• A. The Administrative Director
• B. The Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation
• C. The Medical Director
• D. The Governor

Answer: (C)

In California workers’ compensation, independent medical evaluations are handled through panels of qualified medical evaluators (QMEs) to provide impartial medical opinions in disputes. The authority to establish these panels and assign them to respond to a request rests with the Medical Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. He or she must assign three panels of QMEs within five working days after receiving a request to ensure timely access to medical evaluation and to keep the dispute resolution process moving smoothly.

The other offices and bodies—the Administrative Director, the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation, and the Governor—do not have this specific duty of assigning QME panels. The Medical Director’s role is specifically tied to managing QME panels and the evaluation process, which is why this option is correct.