Section 4616.4.

(a) (1) The administrative director shall contract with individual physicians, as described in paragraph (2), or an independent medical review organization to perform independent medical reviews pursuant to this section.

(2) Only physicians licensed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of the Business and Professions Code may be independent medical reviewers.

(3) The administrative director shall ensure that the independent medical reviewers or those within the review organization shall do all of the following:

(A) Be appropriately credentialed and privileged.

(B) Ensure that the reviews provided by the medical professionals are timely, clear, and credible, and that reviews are monitored for quality on an ongoing basis.

(C) Ensure that the method of selecting medical professionals for individual cases achieves a fair and impartial panel of medical professionals who are qualified to render recommendations regarding the clinical conditions consistent with the medical utilization schedule established pursuant to Section 5307.27, or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines.

(D) Ensure that confidentiality of medical records and the review materials, consistent with the requirements of this section and applicable state and federal law.

(E) Ensure the independence of the medical professionals retained to perform the reviews through conflict-of-interest policies and prohibitions, and ensure adequate screening for conflicts of interest.

(4) Medical professionals selected by the administrative director or the independent medical review organizations to review medical treatment decisions shall be physicians, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), who meet the following minimum requirements:

(A) The medical professional shall be a clinician knowledgeable in the treatment of the employee's medical condition, knowledgeable about the proposed treatment, and familiar with guidelines and protocols in the area of treatment under review.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the medical professional shall hold a nonrestricted license in any state of the United States, and for physicians, a current certification by a recognized American medical specialty board in the area or areas appropriate to the condition or treatment under review.

(C) The medical professional shall have no history of disciplinary action or sanctions, including, but not limited to, loss of staff privileges or participation restrictions taken or pending by any hospital, government, or regulatory body.

(b) If, after the third physician's opinion, the treatment or diagnostic service remains disputed, the injured employee may request independent medical review regarding the disputed treatment or diagnostic service still in dispute after the third physician's opinion in accordance with Section 4616.3. The standard to be utilized for independent medical review is identical to that contained in the medical treatment utilization schedule established in Section 5307.27, or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, as appropriate.

(c) Applications for independent medical review shall be submitted to the administrative director on a one-page form provided by the administrative director entitled "Independent Medical Review Application." The form shall contain a signed release from the injured employee, or a person authorized pursuant to law to act on behalf of the injured employee, authorizing the release of medical and treatment information. The injured employee may provide any relevant material or documentation with the application. The administrative director or the independent medical review organization shall assign the independent medical reviewer.

(d) Following receipt of the application for independent medical review, the employer or insurer shall provide the independent medical reviewer, assigned pursuant to subdivision (c), with all information that was considered in relation to the disputed treatment or diagnostic service, including both of the following:

(1) A copy of all correspondence from, and received by, any treating physician who provided a treatment or diagnostic service to the injured employee in connection with the injury.

(2) A complete and legible copy of all medical records and other information used by the physicians in making a decision regarding the disputed treatment or diagnostic service.

(e) Upon receipt of information and documents related to the application for independent medical review, the independent medical reviewer shall conduct a physical examination of the injured employee at the employee's discretion. The reviewer may order any diagnostic tests necessary to make his or her determination regarding medical treatment. Utilizing the medical treatment utilization schedule established pursuant to Section 5307.27, or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, as appropriate, and taking into account any reports and information provided, the reviewer shall determine whether the disputed health care service was consistent with Section 5307.27 or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines based on the specific medical needs of the injured employee.

(f) The independent medical reviewer shall issue a report to the administrative director, in writing, and in layperson's terms to the maximum extent practicable, containing his or her analysis and determination whether the disputed health care service was consistent with the medical treatment utilization schedule established pursuant to Section 5307.27, or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, as appropriate, within 30 days of the examination of the injured employee, or within less time as prescribed by the administrative director. If the disputed health care service has not been provided and the independent medical reviewer certifies in writing that an imminent and serious threat to the health of the injured employee may exist, including, but not limited to, serious pain, the potential loss of life, limb, or major bodily function, or the immediate and serious deterioration of the injured employee, the report shall be expedited and rendered within three days of the examination by the independent medical reviewer. Subject to the approval of the administrative director, the deadlines for analyses and determinations involving both regular and expedited reviews may be extended by the administrative director for up to three days in extraordinary circumstances or for good cause.

(g) The independent medical reviewer's analysis shall cite the injured employee's medical condition, the relevant documents in the record, and the relevant findings associated with the documents or any other information submitted to the reviewer in order to support the determination.

(h) The administrative director shall immediately adopt the determination of the independent medical reviewer, and shall promptly issue a written decision to the parties.

(i) If the determination of the independent medical reviewer finds that the disputed treatment or diagnostic service is consistent with Section 5307.27 or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, the injured employee may seek the disputed treatment or diagnostic service from a physician of his or her choice from within or outside the medical provider network. Treatment outside the medical provider network shall be provided consistent with Section 5307.27 or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Practice Guidelines. The employer shall be liable for the cost of any approved medical treatment in accordance with Section 5307.1 or 5307.11.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 34, Sec. 27. Effective April 19, 2004.)