shall be obtained.” (Emphasis added.) Section 4610, as amended by SB 228, provides, in pertinent part, “(a) The administrative director shall adopt regulations to establish a system of utilization review for medical treatment provided or proposed to be provided to an injured employee. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: “(1) A system of utilization review that is independent of the employer and the insurer. “(2) A system of utilization review that is consistent with the standards of practice of the medical profession. “(3) A system of utilization review that is consistent with the standards of
Nationwide Studio Fund; And State Compensation Insurance Fund Deanna Brasher WORKERS’ COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDSTATE OF CALIFORNIADEANNA BRASHER, Applicant,Vs.NATIONWIDE STUDIO FUND; and STATE COMPENSATION INSURANCE FUND, Defendant(s). Case No. OAK 0296709OPINION AND DECISION AFTER RECONSIDERATION We previously granted applicant’s petition for reconsideration to further study the factual and legal issues in this case. This is our Opinion and Decision After Reconsideration. Applicant sought reconsideration of the April 18, 2006 Findings of Fact and Order, wherein the workers’ compensation administrative law judge (“WCJ”) found that defendant’s initial objection to the treating physician’s request for spinal surgery was timely; that the procedure instituted by the Division of Workers’ Compensation (“DWC”) Medical Unit, requiring utilization review and appeal from a denial of spinal surgery before the Administrative Director (“AD”) selects a second opinion surgeon under Lab
