4th DCA Ruling Removes Ambiguity about which Disputes are Subject to IBR

Medical providers say Tuesday's ruling by the California 4th District Court of Appeal that the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board has the authority to decide medical billing disputes that were pending prior to the passage of SB 863 averted a catastrophe for doctors who treat injured workers. Insurers, on the other hand, are disappointed. They had hoped unsettled disputes would instead be directed to the independent medical bill review process established by the 2012 reform bill. Reid L. Steinfeld, general counsel for the Grant & Weber collections company, said Wednesday that he ...