Ashley Thurmond — ADJ19265320, ADJ19267101

Cost petitioner Jack Yen, M.D., a QME, sought reconsideration of an October 22, 2025 Joint Findings of Fact and Order in which the WCJ found that defendant's $4,946.26 payment for Dr. Yen's QME report was not unreasonably delayed, that any payment dispute belonged in the Independent Bill Review process under Labor Code section 4603, and denied claims for interest, penalties, sanctions, and attorney fees. The Board issued an interim non-final order on January 30, 2026 granting the petition, deferring a final decision, and encouraging mediation. The parties participated in voluntary mediation and filed a signed Stipulation to Remand the matter to the trial level to develop the record on whether defendant was obligated to file a Petition for Determination of Medical-Legal Expense Dispute and concurrent Declaration of Readiness within 60 days of the provider's objection under section 4622. The Board approved the Stipulation under section 5702, rescinded the F&O, and returned the matter to the WCJ for further proceedings, expressly noting this was not a decision on the merits.