Vargas Guillen, Martha

Applicant Martha Vargas Guillen sustained a lumbar spine injury on April 16, 2015, while working as a housekeeper, and received treatment within defendant's Medical Provider Network (MPN). Her new attorney attempted to designate Dr. Guy Gottschalk of RMS Medical Group as primary treating physician (PTP) outside the MPN, and RMS pursued a lien for treatment and medical-legal services. The WCJ found that defendant maintained and exercised valid medical control within its MPN, that no denial of care occurred, and that the out-of-network designation was insufficient to entitle applicant to self-procured care at defendant's expense. The WCAB adopted and incorporated the WCJ's Report and denied RMS's Petition for Reconsideration.