4th DCA Asked to Decide if Treatment by MPN Doctor Goes Through UR/IMR

The 4th District Court of Appeal is being asked to decide whether an employer is able to refer treatment recommendation from a doctor within its own medical provider network through utilization review and independent medical review. In Parrent v. WCAB (Pacific Bell Telephone Co.), No. D071162, applicants' attorney Robert A. McLaughlin is arguing that the Labor Code provides for "two separate and distinct medical delivery systems" — one for employers with an MPN, and one for those who don't have a network. MPNs are the primary system for providing workers' com...