1
Q
A
2
Q
When can a party request an additional QME panel?
A
If the original QME lacks a required specialty to address a disputed issue.
3
Q
Deadline to request additional panel after discovering missing specialty?
A
15 calendar days from knowledge of need.
4
Q
Who approves additional panels?
A
DWC Medical Director.
5
Q
When is a replacement panel granted?
A
If the assigned QME is unavailable, disqualified, has conflict, or fails to schedule timely.
6
Q
Time limit for QME to schedule exam before replacement can be sought?
A
60 days from assignment (unless both parties agree to later date).
7
Q
What must party file to request replacement?
A
Form 31.5 (Replacement Panel Request) with explanation & proof.
8
Q
If QME dies or retires mid-case?
A
DWC issues replacement panel automatically.
9
Q
If QME moves >30 miles from original address?
A
May justify replacement if unreasonable travel.
10
Q
Can parties agree on an AME instead of replacement?
A
Yes — AME overrides panel if both consent.
11
Q
Does QME self-recusal trigger replacement?
A
Yes — if conflict, bias, or health prevents exam.
12
Q
How long does DWC take to issue replacement after approval?
A
Usually within 5 business days.
13
Q
Can a party request specific physician on replacement panel?
A
No — random assignment only.
14
Q
What if QME declines case for scope reasons?
A
DWC issues replacement panel automatically.
15
Q
How many replacements allowed per case?
A
Typically one per specialty per dispute, absent extraordinary cause.
16
Q
What is a consulting QME?
A
A QME who provides specialized input at the request of primary evaluator.
17
Q
Who pays for consulting QME?
A
Requesting party or per agreement; otherwise per med-legal fee schedule.
18
Q
Must consulting QME be from panel?
A
No — can be any qualified specialist, but disclosure is required.
19
Q
Can consulting QME write the final report?
A
No — primary QME integrates consulting input.
20
Q
Mnemonic for replacement triggers
A
“SICK 60”: Schedule fail, Illness, Conflict, Kicked (discipline), 60 days no appt.
21
Q
Time for parties to object to specialty of replacement?
A
10 days after notice.
22
Q
If both parties request same new specialty?
A
DWC usually grants that specialty.
23
Q
Is patient travel hardship valid reason for replacement?
A
Yes — if >75 miles or unreasonable burden.
24
Q
Can QME request their own replacement?
A
Yes — file with DWC citing conflict or illness.
25
Replacement if QME fails to issue report on time?
Parties may petition; DWC can **replace for delay**.
26
Mnemonic for consulting QME rules
**“ASK EXPERT”:** **A**dd-on, **S**pecialty help, **K**eep primary, **E**xpense by caller, **X** not final report.
27
When can an **additional specialty** be added mid-case?
When **new disputed issue arises** beyond current QME scope.
28
Time for DWC to issue additional panel after approval?
Usually **10 business days**.
29
Who determines if specialty request is valid?
**DWC Medical Director.**
30
Can parties stipulate to bypass DWC and pick doctor?
Only if **AME agreement** — otherwise DWC panel required.
31
Are remote consultants allowed?
Yes, but **must comply with telehealth rules** if examining.
32
What if QME retires but doesn’t tell DWC?
Panel invalid; **sanctions possible**.
33
Replacement if QME repeatedly cancels?
Yes — **pattern of cancel = new panel**.
34
If replacement is denied, can party appeal?
Yes — **appeal to DWC Medical Director**.
35
Cost shift if replacement caused by QME?
QME may **forfeit payment** or face discipline.
36
Mnemonic for additional panel request
**“MIS-SPEC”:** **M**issing spec, **I**ssue change, **S**ubmit 15-day, **SPEC**ialty needed.
37
Replacement if QME loses license mid-case?
DWC automatically **issues new panel**.
38
Time for DWC to notify parties of replacement decision?
Usually **within 10 days**.
QME part 2
flashcards
Decks in class (96)
# Cards
-
Batch 4 (Cards 106 – 140) from Section II — Permanent Disability Determination (deep dive: apportionment, AMA traps, cancer presumption, reporting/ethics, exam hacks):36
-
Batch 5 (Cards 141 – 150) to complete the 150-card deck for Section II — Permanent Disability Determination ✅11
-
Here is Batch 1 (Cards 151–180): PDD section II31
-
Here’s Batch 2 (Cards 181–210) — Advanced PD Determination with deeper case law, AMA quirks, benefit timing exceptions, and fresh mnemonics: Question Answer31
-
Batch 3 (Cards 211 – 240) — more advanced PD / AMA / benefit law traps + strong new mnemonics:31
-
Batch 4 (Cards 241 – 255) — advanced Permanent Disability Determination traps with extra mnemonics:16
-
Batch 4 (Cards 256 – 270) — finishing the advanced set to 270:16
-
acronym flashcard deck covering all abbreviations & mnemonics we used in the 270-card PD section (plus earlier core sets).61
-
Batch 1 (Cards 1 – 30) for III. Apportionment Determinations (Causation + Risk Factors & Unlawful Discrimination) — exam-ready with mnemonics:31
-
Batch 2 (Cards 31 – 60) for III. Apportionment Determinations — Causation & Risk Factors/Unlawful Discrimination (exam-ready, with mnemonics)31
-
Batch 3 (Cards 61 – 90) for III. Apportionment Determinations — Causation & Risk Factors / Unlawful Discrimination (exam-ready with mnemonics)31
-
Batch 4 (Cards 91 – 120) for III. Apportionment Determinations — Causation & Risk Factors / Unlawful Discrimination (same exam-ready Q | A | Mnemonic format)31
-
Batch 5 (Cards 121 – 150) for III. Apportionment Determinations — Causation & Risk Factors / Unlawful Discrimination (same Q | A | Mnemonic exam-ready format)31
-
Advanced Apportionment — Block 1 (Cards 151 – 200)51
-
Advanced Apportionment — Block 2 (Cards 201 – 250) (deep case law + exam hacks + new mnemonics, same table format)51
-
Advanced Apportionment — Block 3 (Cards 251 – 300)51
-
Substantive Medical Disputes Resolved by QMEs — LC §§4060-4062 (Disputes over compensability, permanent disability, and all other med-legal issues.) 1-5051
-
IV. Substantive Medical Disputes — Block 2 (Cards 51 – 100)51
-
IV. Substantive Medical Disputes — Block 3 (Cards 101 – 150) (finishing the 150-card deck on LC §§4060–4062)51
-
Block 1 (~35 flashcards) from V. QME Selection Process — Labor Code §4062.1 (Unrepresented) & §4062.2 (Represented)35
-
V. QME Selection Process — Labor Code §4062.1 & §4062.2 (continuing):36
-
V. QME Selection Process – Labor Code 4062.1 & 4062.2)85
-
Section VI: Benefit Delivery & Math (this covers temporary disability (TD), permanent disability (PD), AWW calculations, penalties, benefit timing, and related rules).37
-
Benefit Delivery & Math — Batch 2 (Cards 36–70) with deeper exam-style details + mnemonics:35
-
Benefit Delivery & Math — Batch 1 (Cards 1–35) rewritten with every acronym fully spelled out:37
-
Benefit Delivery & Math — Batch 3 (Cards 71–105)36
-
Benefit Delivery & Math — Batch 4 (Cards 106–140)39
-
Benefit Delivery & Math — Batch 5 (Cards 141 – 175)37
-
Batch 6 (Cards 176 – 210) (rare exam traps, presumption exceptions, psych apportionment nuances, AMA quirks, penalty & rating pitfalls).37
-
I’ll start with Section VI.A – Scheduling and Cancellation of Appointments (p. 19). Here is Batch 1 (≈35 cards) in the format you like:36
-
Batch 2 (Cards 36 – 70) for Section VI.A – Scheduling & Cancellation36
-
Batch 3 (Cards 71 – 105) for Section VI.A – Scheduling & Cancellation:37
-
Subsection A1 – Remote Health Medical-Legal Evaluations (Telehealth) — Batch 1 (Cards 1 – 40) (Q | A | Mnemonic style with full acronyms spelled out once)40
-
Subsection A1 – Remote Health Medical-Legal Evaluations (Tele-QME) — Batch 2 (Cards 41–80):41
-
Subsection A1 – Remote Health Medical-Legal Evaluations (Tele-QME) — Batch 3 (Cards 81–120):41
-
e’s Section VI.B – Information to be Provided to the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) — Batch 1 (Cards 1–40):40
-
Section VI.B – Information to be Provided to the QME — Batch 2 (Cards 41–80):41
-
Section VI.B – Information to be Provided to the QME — Batch 3 (Cards 81 – 120):41
-
VI.B – Information to be Provided to the QME:41
-
VI.C — Ex-Parte Contact (Cards 1–40)40
-
VI.C — Ex-Parte Contact (Cards 41–80)39
-
VI.C — Ex-Parte Contact (Cards 81–120)40
-
📚 VI.D — Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Cards 121 – 155)37
-
VI.D — Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Cards 156 – 190)39
-
Section E — Examination Disclosures (Cal. Code Regs., Title 8, § 40) (first 35–40 flashcards in your Q | A | Mnemonic format with acronyms spelled out).36
-
VI.E — Examination Disclosures (Cards 226 – 260)37
-
VI.F — Ethical Obligations of the QME (Cards 261 – 295)37
-
VI.F — Ethical Obligations of the QME (Cards 296 – 330)36
-
VI.G — Evaluation Protocols (Cards 331 – 365)38
-
VI.G — Evaluation Protocols (Cards 366 – 400)37
-
VI.H — Face-to-Face Time (Cards 401 – 435)37
-
VI.H — Face-to-Face Time (Cards 436 – 470)36
-
VI.I.1 — Report Content (Cards 471 – 505)38
-
VI.I.2 — Report Disclosures (Cards 506 – 540)38
-
VI.I.3 — Anti-Self-Referral (Cards 541 – 570)31
-
VI.I.4 — Substantial Evidence (Cards 571-605)36
-
VI.I.4 — Substantial Evidence (Advanced/Exam Traps) — Cards 606-64037
-
VI.J — Types of Reports & Reevaluations (Cards 671-705)38
-
VI.K — QME Unavailability (Cards 776-810)37
-
VI.K — QME Unavailability (Cards 811-845)38
-
VI.L — Additional, Replacement Panels & Consultations (Cards 846-880)38
-
VI.L — Additional, Replacement Panels & Consultations (Cards 881-915)37
-
Here’s Section L — Additional, Replacement Panels & Consultations40
-
Here’s the start of Section M — Timeframe for Service of Reports & Timeframe Extensions (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 38) Block 1 (Cards 951 – 985)41
-
Block 2 (Cards 986 – 1020) — advanced rules, penalties, and deeper testable points40
-
Here’s Section M — Timeframe for Service of Reports & Timeframe Extensions (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 38) Block 3 (Cards 1021 – 1055)42
-
Here’s the start of Section N — Service of Reports (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §§ 36 & 36.7) Block 1 (Cards 1056 – 1090) — delivery rules, proof of service, and common test pitfalls38
-
Section N — Service of Reports (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §§ 36 & 36.7) Block 2 (Cards 1091 – 1125) — advanced electronic service rules, WCAB issues, and tricky exam points38
-
Here’s Section N — Service of Reports (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, §§ 36 & 36.7) Block 3 (Cards 1126 – 1160) — service disputes, penalties, audit traps, and exam-proven memory hacks40
-
start of Section O — Retention of Reports & Return of Records (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 39.5) Block 1 (Cards 1161 – 1195)39
-
Section O — Retention of Reports & Return of Records (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 39.5) Block 2 (Cards 1196 – 1230) — r40
-
Section O — Retention of Reports & Return of Records (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 8, § 39.5) Block 3 (Cards 1231 – 1265) —44
-
Section M: Timeframe for Service of Reports & Extensions now. Here’s Block 1 (Cards 1231 – 1265) in the Question | Answer | Mnemonic36
-
Block 2 (Cards 1266 – 1300) for Section M – Timeframe for Service of Reports & Extensions, with clear acronyms spelled out and mnemonics:35
-
Section M – Timeframe for Service of Reports & Extensions35
-
Section N: Service of Reports (Cards 1336 – 1370)37
-
here’s Block 2 (Cards 1371 – 1405) for Section N – Service of Reports (advanced scenarios, audit traps, test hacks).36
-
here’s Section O – Retention of Reports & Return of Records (First Block 1 — Cards 1441 – 1475,35
-
Block 3 (Cards 1406 – 1440) for Section N – Service of Reports (penalties, audit traps & exam hacks).37
-
Section O – Retention of Reports & Return of Records Block 2 — Cards 1476 – 1510 (advanced retention scenarios, audits, retirement tips). All acronyms are fully spelled out.35
-
More acronyms15
-
Block 1 – Acronyms (Cards 1 – 50)53
-
Block 2 – Acronyms (Cards 51 – 100)60
-
Block 3 – Acronyms (Cards 101 – 150)56
-
here’s Block 4 (Cards 151 – 200) of acronyms from the DWC QME Study Guide Competency Examination Study Guide (fully expanded).18
-
Block 1 (Cards 1 – 50) of flashcards from your PDF “Important Timeframes in Workers’ Compensation Cases”.48
-
Block 2 (Cards 51 – 100) from your PDF “Important Timeframes in Workers’ Compensation Cases”.48
-
Here’s Block 3 (Cards 101 – 150) — continuing the flashcards from “Important Timeframes in Workers’ Compensation Cases.”49
-
) from your Overview AOE/COE document, in your preferred format — clear Q | A with full expansions for acronyms and useful mnemonics:26
-
Batch 2 (Cards 26 – 50) from the Overview AOE/COE document — continuing the same Question | Answer | Mnemonic style, with all acronyms spelled out:26
-
’s Batch 3 (Cards 51 – 75) from the Overview AOE/COE document, continuing the Question | Answer | Mnemonic format with full acronym expansions:26
-
Batch 4 (Cards 76 – 100) from the Overview AOE/COE document, continuing the Question | Answer | Mnemonic format with all acronyms spelled out:26
-
Batch 5 (Cards 101 – 125) from the Overview AOE/COE document, continuing the Question | Answer | Mnemonic format with all acronyms spelled out:26
-
e Deardorf Suicide Causation document (Batch 1 — first 25 cards).26
-
Batch 2 (Cards 26 – 50) from Deardorf Suicide Causation — continuing in the same Question | Answer26
-
Batch 3 (Cards 51 – 75) from Deardorf Suicide Causation — keeping the Question | Answer | Mnemonic style and spelling out acronyms where used:26
