When an EOR received from a claims administrator lacks information required by Labor Code 4603 or Appendix B of the DWC Billing and Payment Guide, we strongly recommend that you file an Audit Complaint. Doing so could improve California workers’ comp billing for the entire community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s an Audit Complaint?
A: Audit Complaints are designed to alert the DWC to non-compliant behavior on the part of a claims administrator. Using your Audit Complaints, the DWC can intervene and correct a claims administrator’s improper bill processes.
Q: Will a claims administrator know if I file an Audit Complaint against them?
A: Not if you don’t want them to. The DWC allows you to file Audit Complaints confidentially, so reporting improper behavior poses no risk to your relationship with the claims administrator.
Q: Will filing an audit complaint guarantee correct reimbursement?
A: Not necessarily – the DWC cannot promise that every complaint will result in an audit or investigation. The DWC does intervene when appropriate, though, and the data collected from an Audit Complaint can ultimately lead to improvements across the entire California workers’ comp community.
Reason for Audit Complaint
Use this section to help you fill out the DWC Audit Referral form.
Bill Type:
Treatment and Services
Submission Type:
Original Bill
Complaint Category:
Non-Compliant EOR
Complaint Reason:
EOR lacks required information.
Additional Complaint Information:
EOR received from claims administrator for an Original Bill lacks information required by Labor Code 4603.3 and Appendix B of DWC Billing and Payment Guide. See Regulations and Rules cited below.
How to file an Audit Complaint
When a claims administrator incorrectly processes your Original Bill you should:
- Contact Claims Administrator (Optional)
- Inform claims administrator that your Original Bill was complete and compliant, and included the required supporting documents.
- Explain to the claims administrator that you have verifiable proof the claims administrator received the Original Bill with supporting documents.
- File Audit Complaint
- Create Audit Complaint:
DaisyBillers:
- From Bill History, choose Audit Complaint Type: Non-Compliant EOR: EOR remitted by claims administrator lacks required information.
- Additional Complaint Information noted above automatically populates the DWC Audit Referral Form.
Non DaisyBillers: Link to DWC’s Audit Referral Form (link to Form Directions).
- Additional Comments: Provide details of conversations and emails with claims administrator, if any.
- Additional Audit Complaint Document(s): Explanation of review (EOR) received from claims administrator.
- File a Lien (Optional)
- File a lien within 18 months of the date of service citing the defendant allegedly failed to comply with the relevant requirements, timelines, and procedures set forth in Labor Code sections 4622, 4603.3, and 4603.6 and the related Rules of the Administrative Director - WCAB Rule §10451.2(c)(1)(D).
Regulations and Rules
Labor Code 4603.3. (a) Upon payment, adjustment, or denial of a complete or incomplete itemization of medical services, an employer shall provide an explanation of review in the manner prescribed by the administrative director.
Per the Division of Workers’ Comp Billing and Payment Guide, an “Explanation of Review” (EOR) means the explanation of payment or the denial of the payment as defined in Appendix B.
Per Appendix B: This Appendix provides Explanation of Review (EOR) instructions for both paper and electronic EORs. The Explanation of Review is required to be used for both the original bill review determination and the final written determination that is issued by the claims administrator after processing a request for second review. When a bill is being paid in full or in part, the EOR also serves as a remittance advice.
Additional Information
California Labor Code § 4603.3
Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Billing and Payment Guide
DaisyBill Resources
Blog Post: Audit Complaints – Making Things Right in Workers’ Comp
Webinar: Audit Complaints for Workers’ Compensation
DaisyBill Solution
With DaisyBill’s Revenue Cycle Management technology, it takes about 5 seconds to file an Audit Complaint.