DWC Adopts Updates to MTUS Drug List

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Published April 30th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has updated the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List, effective April 30, 2026. These updates, based on ACOEM Practice Guidelines, will affect the formulary for workers' compensation claims.

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What changed

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has issued an order updating the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List, effective April 30, 2026. This update adopts changes based on the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Practice Guidelines, specifically related to the Traumatic Brain Injury Guideline. The updated MTUS Drug List v.14 is now accessible on the DWC MTUS drug formulary webpage.

Healthcare providers and other stakeholders involved in California workers' compensation claims must ensure their prescribing practices align with the updated MTUS Drug List by April 30, 2026. The DWC is also soliciting public comments on the formulary drug list, which can be submitted to Formulary@dir.ca.gov.

What to do next

Review and adopt the updated MTUS Drug List v.14 for compliance by April 30, 2026.
Submit comments or questions regarding the updated drug list to Formulary@dir.ca.gov.

Source document (simplified)

Press Room

NEWSLINE Release Number: 2026-27 Date: March 26, 2026

DWC adopts updates to MTUS Drug List effective April 30, 2026

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Acting Administrative Director, Nicole Richardson, has issued an order updating the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List, effective April 30, 2026, pursuant to the authority of California Labor Code section 5307.29.

The updated MTUS Drug List v.14 and the Administrative Director Order can be accessed on the DWC MTUS drug formulary webpage. The order adopts changes to the MTUS Drug List based on the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Practice Guidelines, published by Reed Group, Ltd. based on updates to the Traumatic Brain Injury Guideline.

DWC welcomes comments from the public on the formulary drug list. Injured workers, physicians, pharmacists and others may submit their questions, comments and suggestions to Formulary@dir.ca.gov.