If the ER desires a change of physicians or chiropractor, who may he petition?

If the ER desires a change of physicians or chiropractor, who may he petition?

• A. The Administrative Director
• B. The Medical Director
• C. WCAB
• D. Director of Industrial Relations

Answer: (A)

In California workers’ compensation, the authority to approve a change in the treating physician or chiropractor rests with the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. When an injured worker desires to switch doctors or chiropractors, the proper path is to petition the Administrative Director. The Administrative Director has the jurisdiction to review and grant or deny changes in treating providers while ensuring the change complies with the panel process and medical-authorization rules. The Medical Director does not handle these change petitions, WCAB deals with appeals and disputes rather than initiating changes, and the Director of Industrial Relations is the agency head, not the specific decision-maker for individual treatment changes.

In California workers’ compensation, the authority to approve a change in the treating physician or chiropractor rests with the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation. When an injured worker desires to switch doctors or chiropractors, the proper path is to petition the Administrative Director. The Administrative Director has the jurisdiction to review and grant or deny changes in treating providers while ensuring the change complies with the panel process and medical-authorization rules. The Medical Director does not handle these change petitions, WCAB deals with appeals and disputes rather than initiating changes, and the Director of Industrial Relations is the agency head, not the specific decision-maker for individual treatment changes.