Emilia Ramirez Robles — ADJ11023915

Armando L. Barrera dba AB, Interpreters sought reconsideration of a WCJ Order finding that interpreter fees for reading a Compromise and Release to applicant on November 5, 2020, were payable under the Official Medical Fee Schedule pursuant to Labor Code section 4600(a) and CCR 9795.3. The interpreter billed $275.00, defendant paid $156.56, leaving a disputed balance of $118.44. The Board granted reconsideration because the Order lacked specific findings on the amount owed and failed to include an Opinion on Decision explaining the reasoning, violating Labor Code section 5313 and Hamilton. The Board rescinded the Order and remanded, while noting that the medical-treatment interpreter provisions (sections 4600(g) and 4603.2) differ from the non-medical-treatment provisions (section 5811(b)(2) and CCR 9795.3), and that the C&R reading was not medical treatment. The Board distinguished Meadowbrook as inapplicable because that case involved interpreting connected to medical care.