If you’ve been injured at work, chances are your employer or their insurance company has directed you to a Medical Provider Network (MPN)—a list of doctors they’ve pre-approved to treat injured workers. But just because you’re in an MPN doesn’t mean it’s valid. If the MPN isn’t legally compliant, you may have the right to treat outside the network and challenge their control over your care.
At Employees First Labor Law, we’ve helped thousands of workers break free from invalid MPNs and get the treatment they actually need. Here’s how to tell if the MPN in your case is noncompliant.
What Is a Medical Provider Network (MPN)?
An MPN is a network of doctors and medical providers approved by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) to treat injured workers. Employers with an approved MPN can control your medical care—but only if they follow strict legal requirements under Labor Code § 4616 and related regulations.
Signs an MPN May Be Invalid or Noncompliant
🚩 1. The MPN Was Not Properly Noticed to You
- You must be given written notice of the MPN before or immediately after your injury.
- The notice must explain your rights, including how to:
- Choose a physician within the MPN
- File complaints
- Request a second or third opinion
- Request an Independent Medical Review (IMR)
If this notice was missing, unclear, or never provided in your language, the MPN may be invalid.
🚩 2. The MPN Has an Inadequate Number of Doctors
- An MPN must provide access to enough doctors and specialists to treat your condition within reasonable geographic distance.
- If you can’t get an appointment within 15 business days or have to travel too far, the MPN may be noncompliant.
🚩 3. The MPN Is Not Properly Approved or Registered
- All MPNs must be approved by the California DWC and have a valid registration number.
- Some insurers improperly label their networks as MPNs when they have not been formally approved.
- You can look up the MPN’s status in the DWC’s online database or contact us to do it for you.
🚩 4. You Were Not Allowed to Switch or Choose a New Doctor
- You have the right to switch doctors within the MPN.
- You may also request a second and third opinion for serious disagreements.
- If the insurer blocks these steps or refuses to provide a provider list, the MPN may be invalid.
🚩 5. The Doctor You Were Sent To Is Not Actually in the MPN
- Insurers sometimes refer you to a doctor who is not listed in the actual MPN—even though they say otherwise.
- Treatment from a non-MPN provider can give you the right to treat outside the MPN entirely.
What Happens If an MPN Is Invalid?
If the MPN is invalid, you may have the right to:
- Choose your own doctor outside the network
- Challenge treatment delays or denials based on noncompliant referrals
- Receive compensation for improperly denied care
- Strengthen your workers’ comp case by using credible, independent physicians
At EFLL, we know how to legally dismantle invalid MPNs and demand care from doctors you trust—not those who protect the insurance company’s bottom line.
How EFLL Fights Invalid MPNs
We investigate MPN compliance by:
- Reviewing all notices and doctor referrals
- Comparing doctor lists to official DWC registration
- Challenging MPN status through the WCAB
- Demanding you be allowed to treat outside the network when violations occur
Don’t Let a Bad MPN Control Your Case
If you’re being mistreated, ignored, or delayed—and the MPN process feels like a dead end—it might not be valid at all. Call us. We’ll help you cut through the red tape and take back control of your care.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation.
Whether you’re facing a denial or a difficult QME, we’ll make sure your rights are protected and your recovery is maximized.
📩 Schedule a consultation
📞 Call us now to speak with a workers’ comp attorney
