Workers' compensation: lien claims.

Existing workers' compensation law generally requires employers to secure the payment of workers' compensation, including medical treatment, for injuries incurred by their employees that arise out of, and in the course of, employment. Existing law authorizes a medical provider to file a lien claim with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board for certain expenses incurred by the provider. Existing law prohibits lien claims for expenses incurred by or on behalf of the injured employee, as provided, and, to the extent that the employee is entitled to reimbursement, as specified, for medical-legal expenses, from being filed after 6 months from the date on which the appeals board or workers' compensation administrative law judge issues a final decision, findings, order, or award on the merits of the claim, after 5 years from the date of the injury for which the services were provided, or after one year from the date the services were provided, whichever is later. This bill would require employers or employers' insurance carriers to include a benefit notice with any objection to a bill for medical services or an explanation of benefits that advises the provider of those services or benefits of the above-described deadline for filing lien claims and the consequences of failing to meet that deadline.