Opinion No. (2009)

EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Attorney General TAYLOR S. CAREY Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE FIONA MA, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: May an entity or individual not licensed to practice medicine perform professional radiology services as part of a Medical Provider Network? CONCLUSION An entity or individual not licensed to practice medicine may not perform professional radiology services, either as part of a Medical Provider Network or otherwise. *Page 2 ANALYSIS We are asked whether an entity or individual who is not licensed to practice medicine in California may perform professional radiology services for a Medical Provider Network. 1 We conclude that they may not. As a result of a wide-ranging package of legislative reforms to California's workers' compensation laws passed in 2004, employers are permitted to require that their injured employees obtain medical services from a Medical Provider Network (MPN) that has been approved by the Division of Workers' Compensation. 2 The Legislature's purpose in authorizing the use of MPNs is to improve medical care for injured employees by providing the employees with a choice of…