ACUPUNCTURISTS AS PRIMARY TREATING PHYSICIAN
Labor Code 4600
Medical, surgical, chiropractic, acupuncture, and hospital treatment, including nursing, medicines, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, and apparatus, including orthotic and prosthetic devices and services, that is reasonably required to cure or relieve from the effects of the injury shall be provided by the employer. In the case of his or her neglect or refusal to reasonably do so, the employer is liable for the reasonable expense incurred by or on behalf of the employee in providing treatment. After 30 days from the date the injury is reported, the employee may be treated by a physician of his or her own choice or at a facility of his or her own choice within a reasonable geographic area. However, if an employee has notified his or her employer in writing prior to the date of injury that he or she has a personal physician, the employee shall have the right to be treated by that physician from the date of injury. If an employee requests a change of physician pursuant to Section 4601, the request may be made at any time after the injury, and the alternative physician, chiropractor, or acupuncturist shall be provided within five days of the request as required by Section 4601. For the purpose of this section, “personal physician” means the employee’s regular physician and surgeon, licensed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 2000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, who has previously directed the medical treatment of the employee, and who retains the employee’s medical record, including his or her medical history.
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