On July 13, the Division of Workers Compensation (DWC) adopted an amendment that excludes some air ambulance providers from the workers compensation ambulance service fee schedule.  The amendment went into effect immediately.

Regulatory Section 9789.70, which was adopted in 2003, establishes maximum fees for ambulance services related to the treatment of injuries covered by workers compensation.  The adopted amendment to Section 9798.70 exempts any air ambulance providers covered by the federal Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 from the fee limitations in Section 9789.70.

ACIC testified in opposition to the amendment at the DWC's April 13, 2010, hearing. ACIC argued that in directing the DWC to establish maximum fees for workers compensation medical services, the Legislature did not give the DWC authority to exclude any particular ambulance service providers from the established schedule. 

The amended version of Section 9789.70 is available at:  http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/DWCPropRegs/Ambulance_regulations/Ambulance_Regulations.htm