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Assemblymember Joe Coto Chair, Assembly Insurance Committee State Capitol P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0023 Dear Assemblymember Coto, I OPPOSE SB 1338 (Migden), which would delete the sunset date for provisions in current law that allow injured workers’ to pre-designate their primary treating physician (PTP) for workers’ compensation purposes. The issue of pre-designation has largely been presented as an issue of the comfort of injured workers and the knowledge of the physicians who treat them. The argument has been that an injured worker may be more comfortable using their family doctor and may well receive better treatment from a doctor who has a history of treating them over time. While we agree that this may be a benefit, we do not believe that this benefit transfers to other physicians who may treat the injured worker for their industrial injury or illness. A primary treating physician in California workers’ compensation law is simply the central physician who is responsible for directing care and is responsible for certain reporting requirements. The PTP can and most often does refer the injured worker to other medical professionals for diagnostic testing, physical therapy, chiropractic care, orthopedic treatment, neurological treatment, pain management, and much more. While these other physicians do indeed treat the injured worker, they do not direct the treatment plan. Current law says that an injured worker who pre-designates a primary treating physician is not required to receive any treatment inside a Medical Provide Network (MPN) that has been set up by their employer. The PTP and any other specialists do not need to be inside of the MPN. I believe that any treatment outside of that which is provided by the PTP should be received inside of the MPN that would be otherwise applicable.

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