CompFox AI Summary
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied a Petition for Removal filed by Zurich American Insurance Company concerning a dispute over Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel selection. The administrative law judge had found both parties requested QME panels timely, but ruled the defendant's request invalid for seeking a different specialty without justification. The Board agreed that removal was not warranted and upheld the decision to assign a QME in pain management, the same specialty as the primary treating physician. The Board also clarified the interpretation of Rule 31.1(b), emphasizing the requirement for supporting documentation when requesting a QME in a different specialty.
Full Decision Text1 Pages
The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board denied a Petition for Removal filed by Zurich American Insurance Company concerning a dispute over Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) panel selection. The administrative law judge had found both parties requested QME panels timely, but ruled the defendant's request invalid for seeking a different specialty without justification. The Board agreed that removal was not warranted and upheld the decision to assign a QME in pain management, the same specialty as the primary treating physician. The Board also clarified the interpretation of Rule 31.1(b), emphasizing the requirement for supporting documentation when requesting a QME in a different specialty.
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