Johnny Chinchilla — ADJ9600339

Applicant Johnny Chinchilla, a head porter, sustained an industrial injury (stipulated to August 5, 2014, though the substituted findings inconsistently state December 5, 2014) to multiple body parts. After designating Dr. David Patterson at Casa Colina Hospital as his primary treating physician, defendant refused authorization solely because Dr. Patterson was not individually listed in its MPN directory, even though Casa Colina was an approved MPN facility. The WCJ originally found defendant did not deny treatment, but the Board granted reconsideration and rescinded that finding. The Board held that under Labor Code section 4616(a)(3) and AD Rule 9767.5.1, physicians employed by an MPN-listed entity are part of the MPN by operation of law without individual registration, so defendant's refusal constituted an unreasonable denial of care. The Board ordered that applicant may designate Dr. Patterson at Casa Colina as his primary treating physician.