JESSICA SENQUIZ vs. CITY OF FREMONT, YORK INSURANCE

In this workers' compensation case, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) reconsidered a prior decision regarding payment for medical services. The defendant reduced payments for epidural steroid injections based on National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits, arguing this was a fee schedule dispute subject to Independent Bill Review (IBR). The WCAB ultimately rescinded the prior decision, finding that disputes over procedure coding, even if not explicitly adopted in the fee schedule, are considered disputes over the amount payable under the Official Medical Fee Schedule. Therefore, the WCAB concluded that such billing disputes are subject to IBR and not within the WCAB's jurisdiction.