Appeals Court Rejects Effort to Strike Doctor Over Fees

A Florida appellate court overturned a judge of compensation claims decision disallowing a duly authorized treating physician whose initial evaluation and treatment fee exceeded base fee schedule rates. “We reverse because the Workers’ Compensation Code doesn’t authorize a (judge of compensation claims) to strike a duly authorized treating physician because of a fee-related problem,” the court said in Palm Beach County School District v. Smith on Wednesday. Frances Smith sought a one-time change in physician that her employer granted. The employer appointed a new trea...