You find a doctor's medical-legal bill in a claims file 62 days after the bill was date stamped received. You should:

You find a doctor's medical-legal bill in a claims file 62 days after the bill was date stamped received. You should:

• A. Send an objection to the bill immediately
• B. Voluntarily add 10% plus 7% interest
• C. Deny the bill
• D. Wait until you are forced to pay the penalty

Answer: (B)

Late-payment penalties exist for medical-legal bills in California workers’ compensation. If a medical-legal fee isn’t paid within 60 days after receipt, a 10% penalty plus 7% interest accrues on the overdue amount. Since this bill is 62 days past receipt, the correct action is to include those penalties with the payment—voluntarily add 10% plus 7% interest. This satisfies the statutory requirement and helps avoid additional penalties or disputes. Objection, denial, or waiting to be forced to pay wouldn’t address the overdue penalties and could lead to further costs.

Late-payment penalties exist for medical-legal bills in California workers’ compensation. If a medical-legal fee isn’t paid within 60 days after receipt, a 10% penalty plus 7% interest accrues on the overdue amount. Since this bill is 62 days past receipt, the correct action is to include those penalties with the payment—voluntarily add 10% plus 7% interest. This satisfies the statutory requirement and helps avoid additional penalties or disputes. Objection, denial, or waiting to be forced to pay wouldn’t address the overdue penalties and could lead to further costs.