Second and Third Opinion Process

This MPN complies with the Second and Third opinion process set forth in Title 8 Section 9767.7 of Article 3.5 of the California Code of Regulations as follows:

  1. If the covered employee disputes either the diagnosis or the treatment prescribed by the primary treating physician or the treating physician, the employee may obtain a second and third opinion from physicians within the MPN. During this process, the employee is required to continue his or her treatment with the treating physician or a physician of his or her choice within the MPN.
  2. If the covered employee disputes either the diagnosis or the treatment prescribed by the primary treating physician or the treating physician, it is the employee’s responsibility to: (1) inform the person designated by Applicant that he or she disputes the treating physician’s opinion and requests a second opinion (the employee may notify the person designated by the employer or insurer either in writing or orally); (2) select a physician or specialist from a list of available MPN providers; (3) make an appointment with the second opinion physician within 60 days; and (4) inform the person designated by the Applicant of the appointment date. It is Applicant’s responsibility to (1) provide a regional area listing of MPN providers and/or specialists to the employee for his/her selection based on the specialty or recognized expertise in treating the particular injury or condition in question and inform the employee of his or her right to request a copy of the medical records that will be sent to the second opinion physician; (2) contact the treating physician, provide a copy of the medical records or send the necessary medical records to the second opinion physician prior to the appointment date, and provide a copy of the records to the covered employee upon request; and (3) notify the second opinion physician in writing that he or she has been selected to provide a second opinion and the nature of the dispute with a copy to the employee. If the appointment is not made within 60 days of receipt of the list of the available MPN providers, then the employee shall be deemed to have waived the second opinion process with regard to this disputed diagnosis or treatment of this treating physician.
  3. If, after reviewing the covered employee’s medical records, the second opinion physician determines that the employee’s injury is outside the scope of his or her practice, the physician shall notify the person designated by Applicant and employee so Applicant can provide a new list of MPN providers and/or specialists to the employee for his/her selection based on the specialty or recognized expertise in treating the particular injury or condition in question.
  4. If the covered employee disagrees with either the diagnosis or treatment prescribed by the second opinion physician, the injured employee may seek the opinion of a third physician within the MPN. It is the employee’s responsibility to: (1) inform the person designated by Applicant that he or she disputes the treating physician’s opinion and requests a third opinion (the employee may notify the person designated by the employer or insurer either in writing or orally); (2) select a physician or specialist from a list of available MPN providers; and (3) make an appointment with the third opinion physician within 60 days; and (4) inform the person designated by Applicant of the appointment date. It is Applicant’s responsibility to (1) provide a regional area listing of MPN providers and/or specialists to the employee for his/her selection based on the specialty or recognized expertise in treating the particular injury or condition in question and inform the employee of his or her right to request a copy of the medical records that will be sent to the third opinion physician; and (2) contact the treating physician, provide a copy of the medical records or send the necessary medical records to the third opinion physician prior to the appointment date, and provide a copy of the records to the covered employee upon request; and (3) notify the third opinion physician in writing that he or she has been selected to provide a third opinion and the nature of the dispute with a copy to the employee. If the appointment is not made within 60 days of receipt of the list of the available MPN providers, then the employee shall be deemed to have waived the third opinion process with regard to this disputed diagnosis or treatment of this treating physician.
  5. If, after reviewing the covered employee’s medical records, the third opinion physician determines that the employee’s injury is outside the scope of his or her practice, the physician shall notify the person designated by the MPN applicant and employee so the MPN applicant can provide a new list of MPN providers and/or specialists to the employee for his/her selection based on the specialty or recognized expertise in treating the particular injury or condition in question.
  6. The second and third opinion physicians shall each render his or her opinion of the disputed diagnosis or treatment in writing and offer alternative diagnosis or treatment recommendations, if applicable. Any recommended treatment shall be in accordance with Labor Code section 4616(e). The second and third opinion physicians may order diagnostic testing if medically necessary. A copy of the written report shall be served on the employee, the person designated by the MPN applicant, and the employee’s treating physician within 20 days of the date of the appointment or receipt of the results of the diagnostic tests, whichever is later.
  7. The Applicant shall permit the employee to obtain the recommended treatment within the MPN. The covered employee may obtain the recommended treatment by changing physicians to the second opinion physician, third opinion physician, or other MPN physician.
  8. If the injured covered employee disagrees with the diagnosis or treatment of the third opinion physician, the injured employee may file with the Administrative Director a request for an Independent Medical Review. At the time of the selection of the physician for a third opinion, the covered employee shall be notified about the Independent Medical Review process. A copy of the Independent Medical Review form shall also be included with the notification. The notification and form shall be written in English and Spanish.