RAYMOND O. POYNTER V. BARREN-METCALFE AMBULANCE SERVICE; HONORABLE CHRIS DAVIS, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE; WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD; DR. MICAHEL CASSARO; DR. AMELIA KISER; AND THE LASER SPINE INSTITUTE
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,Suptrtut Gurf elfitufurkg
2011-SC-000044-WC
APPELLANT
RAYMOND 0. POYNTER
V.
ON APPEAL FROM COURT OF APPEALS
CASE NO. 2010-CA-000985-WC
WORKERS' COMPENSATION NO. 97-79559
BARREN-METCALFE AMBULANCE SERVICE;
HONORABLE CHRIS DAVIS,
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE;
WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD;
DR. MICHAEL CASSARO;
DR. AMELIA KISER; AND
THE LASER SPINE INSTITUTE
APPELLEES
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
This post-settlement medical dispute arose over the compensability of
treatment provided and proposed by the claimant's physicians. The Workers'
Compensation Board affirmed an Administrative Law Judge's (ALJ's) decision
that the treatment was reasonable and necessary to date but that only the
course of treatment recommended by the university evaluator would be
reasonable and necessary in the future. A divided Court of Appeals affirmed.
Appealing, the claimant asserts that the ALJ misconstrued KRS 342.020
and found the treatment his physicians provided to be non-compensable
simply because the university evaluator preferred different treatment. He also
asserts that the AU erred by failing to give presumptive weight to the
university evaluator's opinion that the present course of treatment was
reasonable and that the ALJ acted arbitrarily by requiring him to undergo
surgery to implant a morphine pump.
We affirm. The Al.,J did not misconstrue KRS 342.020; misapply KRS
342.315(2); or order the treatment program arbitrarily. When considered as a
whole, the university evaluator's testimony supported the conclusion that the
present doses of narcotic pain medication would db more harm than good if
continued. It also supported the conclusion that the recommended inpatient
detoxification program followed by the surgical implantation of a morphine
pump constituted reasonably necessary future medical treatment. The
decision to order the program was permitted by KRS 342.020 and consistent
with the evaluator's testimony.
The claimant, a paramedic, sustained a work-related low back injury
while lifting a patient on Julie 20, 1997. As approved in January 2000, the
parties' settlement agreement indicates that the claimant underwent a
diskectomy at L5-S1 as well as fusions at L1-2 and L5-S1. It also indicates
that he employer agreed to pay permanent total disability benefits and future
medical expenses.
The claimant did not return to work. He underwent additional postsettlement lumbar surgeries and physicians tried various types of injections,
medications, and therapies in an attempt to manage his chronic back pain.
2
Dr. Cassaro, who became his treating pain management specialist in 2004,
implanted a spinal cord stimulator. The device reduced his pain but was
removed due to an adverse reaction. Dr. Cassaro also prescribed
radiofrequency nerve ablation and trigger point injections. The claimant's
family physician, Dr. Kiser, prescribed various medications to treat the injury's
effects. Some of his medications as of August 2008 included Avinza (oral
morphine) and Hydrocodone for chronic pain, Lorazepam for anxiety related to
pain, and Flexeril for muscle spasms.
The employer filed this medical fee dispute and reopening after Dr.
Cassaro requested pre-certification for a series of six trigger point injections to
be performed monthly beginning in June 2008. A peer review report from Dr.
Livezey stated that the request was not medically necessary and appropriate
and noted that the Official Disability Guidelines recommend at least a twomonth interval between injections. They also indicate that repeat injections are
not medically necessary unless previous injections provided greater than 50%
pain relief with reduced medication use for at least six weeks and unless there
is documented evidence of functional improvement. Dr. Livezey concluded that
none of the proposed injections was medically necessary because the records
submitted for review failed to indicate that the injections performed in May
2008 provided greater than 50% pain relief. The employer's insurance carrier
issued a final notice of denial after Dr. Howard Rosen performed a subsequent
peer review and reached the same conclusion.
The employer amended the dispute in order to contest the
reasonableness and necessity of antidepressant medication as well as the
prescribed dose of Avinza. The employer relied on a psychiatric evaluation by
Dr. Granacher, who assigned a 20% permanent impairment rating based on a
pain disorder and major depression due to the pain disorder but opined that
antidepressants would not improve the claimant's mood without "a substantial
correction of the painful back disorder." The employer also relied on a peer
review report by Dr. Ackerman, who opined that the claimant would require
lifelong opioid therapy and stated that Avinza was medically necessary and
appropriate but that the prescribed dose was not. Convinced that the
magnitude of the dose suggested the presence of opioid hyperalgesia, Dr.
Ackerman recommended weaning the Avinza.
The ALJ. ordered a university evaluation at the employer's request. As
amended on January 9, 2008, the referral order requested the evaluator to
determine the reasonableness and necessity of the trigger point injections
recommended by Dr. Cassaro as well as the current dose of Avinza prescribed
by Dr. Kiser. The order also requested an opinion concerning "what would
constitute an appropriate treatment plan and, specifically, whether the dosage
reduction trial being adminiStered to Mr. Poynter by Dr. Amelia Kiser is
reasonable."
Dr. Witt performed the university evaluation in February 2009.
Statements in his report and deposition testimony characterized the claimant's
case as being "extremely complicated" and "perhaps one of the more tragic
4
cases that I have reviewed." He noted that the claimant's back injury clearly
was caused by the work-related accident. He stated that the repeated
surgeries for chronic pain control represented "a case study in what does not
work for the treatment of such an individual;" resulted in failed back surgery
syndrome or post-laminectomy syndrome; and provided an unquestionable
clinical basis for the claimant's severe pain.
Dr. Witt noted that the claimant rated his pain on the date of the
evaluation at 6 to 7 on a 10-point scale and took four 120 mg. Avinza per day
as well as four Hydrocodone 10/500. He stated that many studies "have
documented the existence of opioid-induced hyperalgesia" and that "clearly this
individual has manifestations of this problem." He explained that opioid-based
medications tend to relieve pain to a certain extent but also produce
neuroplasticity, which tends to lower the patient's pain threshold and
aggravate the perception of pain. He opined that the claimant's "high dosages
and long exposure" to opioids were also producing his hypogonadism and
contributing to his depression, obesity, and sleep apnea. Moreover, the
deprivation of delta brainwave sleep due to sleep apnea further aggravated his
pain and interfered with healing.
Dr. Witt thought that the magnitude of the claimant's pathology would
cause him to experience significant pain throughout his life and listed two
treatment options, both of which he characterized as being "acceptable" and
"reasonable." He thought there was nothing "particularly wrong" with
continuing to maintain the claimant on opioid medications, so long as he
benefited and the dose was stable, or continuing the injections and
radiofrequency ablations that had been shown to reduce his pain significantly.
He explained that he considered such treatment to be reasonable if the
physician and patient were satisfied with the results, but he did not
recommend it because he found self-administered opioids not to be successful
in his patients. He also stated that even if the claimant's present opioid dose
was stable, it caused or contributed to his sleep apnea, hypogonadism,
impotence, and depression. Dr. Witt opined that the present treatment option
would afford no significant improvement in the claimant's quality of life. He
would require testing and maintenance of his testosterone level; should lose
weight; and should have his sleep apnea treated.
Dr. Witt strongly preferred the second option. He explained that
significant data indicated the claimant would experience better pain control
without opioids or with a very small dose administered directly to the spine via
an intrathecal infusion pump. Such a dose would not interfere with his
endocrine function or cause hyperalgesia and should allow him to function
better, lose weight, and improve his sleep apnea. This option might or might
not involve continued trigger point injections and radiofrequency nerve
ablations. It would require the claimant to be weaned from all opioid
medications for a period of at least six weeks.
Dr. Witt testified that the weaning process would be "very unpleasant
and quite painful" and would require "real commitment from the patient." He
stated that such a program would best be accomplished in an inpatient facility
that offers "a comprehensive inpatient treatment program which emphasizes
behavioral and physical functioning in the context of chronic pain" as well as
aggressive treatment of sleep apnea. He stated that no such program exists in
Kentucky but recommended a program conducted in Birmingham, Alabama,
which was the closest geographically and had a very good record of success.
Dr. Cassaro testified when deposed in July 2009 that he considered the
medications prescribed by Dr. Kiser to be appropriate. He stated that an
intrathecal infusion pump would replace the claimant's oral pain medications
but would not address his nerve pain, entrapment neuropathies, muscle
spasms, or muscle irritability. He stated that he had discussed such a pump
with the claimant long before Dr. Witt evaluated him but that the claimant
feared he would experience an immune reaction. Dr. Cassaro stated that the
claimant had developed swelling and a rash after the spinal cord stimulator
was implanted, which "disappeared within days" after it was removed. He
stated that he considered the likelihood of such a reaction to be significant
after determining that the pump's external components were nearly identical to
those of the stimulator. Yet, he stated elsewhere in his -deposition that there
were several types of medication pumps and that he did not know which one
would be used.
Dr. Cassaro's treatment records conflicted with his testimony. They
indicated that he sought pre-authorization to remove the spinal cord stimulator
on October 11, 2006 "to relieve ligament irritation caused by the pocket
creation made to insert the stimulator" and that the claimant's pain could no
7
longer be controlled without explanting the device because the requested
injections were denied. The operative report, dated October 26, 2006, stated
that the stimulator was non-functional and "causing irritation to the
supraspinous ligament which is increasing his baseline pain." Dr. Cassaro's
February 2, 2007 treatment note indicates that the claimant's "continuous
rash" and "GI problem" remained and that they discussed the claimant's diet
as well as "the role that the Indocin may have played."'
The claimant testified that radiofrequency ablation provided 50% or
greater pain relief for about a year and that the trigger point injections provided
40% to 50% relief for anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on his
subsequent activity level. He stated that the employer's insurance carrier
continued to pay for his Avinza and Hydrocodone but that he paid for the
trigger point injections and antidepressants personally.
The claimant testified that his quality of life had improved significantly
under the care of Drs. Cassaro and Kiser. He did not wish to undergo the
implantation of an intrathecal infusion pump due to the risk of infection or an
immune reaction.
As listed on the Benefit Review Conference Memorandum, the contested
issues included the reasonableness and necessity of medications,
radiofrequency ablations, facet nerve blocks, and continued treatment by Dr.
Cassaro. The employer conceded in its brief that the claimant's back pain was
Indocin, known generically as indomethacin, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medication. Among its known side effects are nausea, rash, itching, and hives.
http: / /www.nlm.nih.govimedlineplus/druginfo/meds/a681027.html.
8
work-related but argued that to expect it to pay for pain management by Dr.
Cassaro as well as for "incredible amounts" of opioid-based pain medication
was unreasonable, particularly in light of Dr. Witt's opinion that the medication
caused additional physical difficulties. The employer requested the AL.) . to
order the claimant to undergo the treatment recommended by Dr. Witt.
After acknowledging that Dr. Witt characterized the opinions of Drs.
Cassaro and Kiser concerning the claimant's treatment as being reasonable,
the ALI noted that KRS 342.315 affords presumptive weight to a university
evaluator's clinical findings and opinions but does not require the evaluator to
state that no other opinion is reasonable. The ALJ interpreted the whole of Dr.
Witt's testimony as expressing clear opinions "that the level of pain medications
and treatment the Plaintiff is receiving is not reasonable and necessary;" "that
the treatment is, in his opinion, actually harmful, not helpful;" and that the
recommended in-patient detoxification program followed by the implantation of
a morphine pump constituted reasonable medical treatment at the present
time.
Addressing Dr. Witt's recommendations, the AU acknowledged his
testimony that an individual should not be forced to undergo detoxification; the
claimant's testimony that he does not wish to undergo the procedure or the
implantation of a morphine pump; as well as Dr. Witt's testimony that the
claimant should be continued on his present treatment regimen if he does not
undergo detoxification. Noting, however, that the claimant's need for pain
management had increased over the years without a change in his physical
9
condition, the A1.0 found that "the unnecessary doses of narcotics are doing
more harm than good." Having found the claimant's past medical treatment to
have been reasonable and necessary for the effects of his injury, the ALJ
ordered the employer to pay for all medical treatment provided to date as well
as for all pain and antidepressant medication during the pendency of any
appeal. Finding, however, that Dr. Witt's future treatment recommendations
were "the most accurate and . . . in the best interests of the Plaintiff," the ALJ
ordered that "the treatment program recommended by the University Evaluator
shall be followed."
The claimant's petition for reconsideration relied on Dr. Witt's testimony
that the current treatment regimen was reasonable to assert that a refusal to
have a pain pump implanted was not unreasonable. 2 He also argued that KRS
342.020 entitles an injured worker to select his own medical provider and,
when the selection is reasonable, does not permit an ALJ to require the worker
to submit to another physician's treatment preference simply because that
physician is a university evaluator. The ALJ denied the petition, however,
convinced that Dr. Witt did not consider the present treatment to be reasonable
and necessary within the meaning of Chapter 342 and that there was no
reason to reject his opinion. Appealing, the claimant asserted that the ALJ
misconstrued KRS 342.020, failed to give presumptive weight to Dr. Witt's
opinion that the contested treatment was reasonable; and ordered him to
undergo surgery arbitrarily.
2
See Bethlehem Mines Corp. v. Hall, 379 S.W.2d 58 (Ky. 1964).
10
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW.
KRS 342.285 designates the ALJ as the finder of fact, whose decision is
"conclusive and binding as to all questions of fact." KRS 342.285 gives the ALJ
the sole discretion to determine.the quality, character, and substance of
evidence. 3 An ALJ may reject any testimony and believe or disbelieve various
parts of the evidence, regardless of whether it comes from the same witness or
the same party's total proof. 4 KRS 342.285(2) and KRS 342.290 limit
administrative and judicial review of an ALJ's decision to determining whether
the ALT "acted without or in excess of his powers;" 5 whether the decision "was
procured by fraud;" 6 or whether the decision was erroneous as a matter of law. 7
LegalroswudinchetrALJmisapldChter342o
facts; made a clearly erroneous finding of fact; rendered an arbitrary or
capricious decision; or committed an abuse of discretion.
As construed by the courts, KRS 342.285 requires a party who appeals a
finding that favors the party with the burden of proof to show that no
substantial evidence supported the finding, i.e., that the finding was
3
Paramount Foods, Inc. v. Burkhardt, 695 S.W.2d 418 (Ky. 1985).
4
Caudill v. Maloney's Discount Stores, 560 S.W.2d 15, 16 (Ky. 1977).
5
KRS 342.285(2)(a).
6
KRS 342.285(2)(b).
7
KRS 342.285(2)(c), (d), and (e). See also American Beauty Homes Corp. v. Louisville &
Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Commission, 379 S.W.2d 450, 457 (Ky. 1964).
11
unreasonable under the evidence. 8 A party who fails to meet its burden of
proof before the ALJ must show that the unfavorable finding was clearly
erroneous because overwhelming favorable evidence compelled a favorable
finding, i.e., no reasonable person could have failed to be persuaded by the
favorable evidence. 9 Evidence that would have supported but not compelled a
different decision is an inadequate basis for reversal on appeal.'°
II. KRS 342.020.
The ALJ found that the treatment contested by the employer addressed a
lumbar condition resulting from the claimant's work-related injury, which
placed the burden to prove that the treatment was not compensable on the
employer. An employer's dissatisfaction with an injured worker's choice of
physicians or with the cost, duration, or choice of treatment is not a proper
basis for challenging the compensability of medical treatment. KRS 342.020(1)
requires the employer to pay for such medical treatment "as may reasonably be
required" for the cure or relief of a work-related injury and its effects.il
Although KRS 342.020(1) gives the injured worker great latitude in
selecting a treating physician and in choosing a course of medical treatment,
the worker's choice is not unfettered. Not only does KRS 342.020(3) permit an
employer to provide medical benefits through a managed care system, KRS
8
Special Fund v. Francis, 708 S.W.2d 641, 643 (Ky. 1986); Mosley v. Ford Motor Co.,
968 S.W.2d 675 (Ky. App. 1998); REO Mechanical v. Barnes, 691 S.W.2d 224 (Ky.
App. 1985).
9
Id.
19
McCloud v. Beth Elkhorn Corp., 514 S.W.2d 46 (Ky. 1974).
11
See National Pizza Co. v. Curry, 802 S.W.2d 949 (KY App. 1991).
12
342.020(7) provides that an employer is not required to pay for treatment that
substantially delays the worker's recovery; that fails to provide "reasonable
benefit;" or that would substantially prejudice the employer in workers'
compensation proceedings.
The ALT did not misinterpret KRS 342.020 by concluding that future
medical treatment must conform to Dr. Witt's recommendation. Exercising a
fact-finder's authority to interpret and draw reasonable inferences from the
medical evidence and to choose the evidence upon which to rely, the ALJ found
the opinions of Dr. Witt to be "most accurate." The ALJ interpreted the whole
of his testimony to imply that continued use of the present doses of narcotic
pain medication would do more harm than good. Thus, the ALJ concluded
that they would be neither reasonable nor necessary within the meaning of
KRS 342.020 and found the program for detoxification and pain control
recommended by Dr. Witt to be reasonable and necessary future medical
treatment. The findings were consistent with KRS 342.020 and based on
substantial evidence. 12
III. KRS 342.315(2).
KRS 342.315(2) affords a university evaluator's clinical findings and
opinions "presumptive weight" and places the burden to overcome such
findings and opinions on the party who opposes them. The statute creates a
rebuttable presumption, the procedural effect of which is governed by KRE
12
Special Fund v. Francis, 708 S.W.2d 641, 643 (Ky. 1986).
13
301. 13 It views the clinical findings and opinions of a university evaluator as
being substantial evidence that the ALJ may not disregard unless rebutted, but
it does not restrict the ALJ's authority to interpret or draw reasonable
inferences from the evidence or to weigh conflicting evidence. 14
Although KRS 342.315(2) required the ALJ to give presumptive weight to
Dr. Witt's opinions, it did not require the AL I to conclude from his testimony
that the treatment Drs. Cassaro and Kline recommended presently would be
reasonable in the future. Dr. Witt opined clearly that the claimant's injury
would probably require him to take pain medication for the rest of his life.
Reluctant to criticize a course of treatment with which a patient and his
physicians were satisfied, he stated that the claimant's present treatment was
a reasonable option but that he would not treat a patient in the same manner.
He explained that the present doses of opioids caused the claimant to suffer
from opioid-induced hyperalgesia, hypogonadism, depression, obesity, and
sleep apnea, all of which contributed to the amount of pain he experienced.
Dr. Witt recommended a course of treatment that would, in his opinion,
provide greater pain control without the harmful side effects.
The ALI. provided an adequate explanation and acted within the
authority granted by KRS 342.315(2) when interpreting Dr. Witt's testimony to
mean that reasonable physicians might differ concerning the claimant's
treatment but that, in his opinion, the present treatment would do more harm
13
Magic Coal Co. v. Fox, 19 S.W.3d 88, 95 (Ky. 2000).
14
Id. at 96-97.
14
than good if continued. When considered as a whole, Dr. Witt's opinions
supported the ALJ's legal conclusions that to continue the present treatment
program would be unreasonable within the meaning of .KRS 342.020; whereas,
the recommended program would be reasonable.
III. KRS 342.285(2)(e).
KRS 342.285(2)(e) permits an ALJ's decision to be reversed if it is
"arbitrary or capricious or characterized by an abuse of discretion or clearly
unwarranted exercise of discretion." The claimant maintains that the ALJ's
decision to order him to enter a detoxification program and undergo the
implantation of an intrathecal morphine pump warrants reversal based on Dr.
Witt's testimony that his present treatment was reasonable and on his previous
allergic reaction to the spinal cord stimulator. Relying on Dr. Cassaro's
testimony that the pump was manufactured from the same material as the
stimulator, he argues that his refusal to undergo an additional surgery to
implant the device is not unreasonable and that KRS 342.020 entitles him to
choose from the two reasonable treatment options in evidence. We disagree.
KRS 342.020(7) permits an ALJ to allow the employer to select a treating
physician when improper medical treatment substantially affects or delays the
worker's recovery or when the medical treatment received fails to provide
"reasonable benefit" or would prejudice the employer in a workers'
compensation proceeding. No finding under KRS 342.035(3) is at issue
presently, but it is instructive. KRS 342.035(3) prohibits compensation to the
extent that a worker's disability "is aggravated, caused, or continued, by an
15
unreasonable failure to submit to or follow" competent medical treatment or
advice.
The ALJ's decision concerning the claimant's future medical treatment
was authorized by Chapter 342; reasonable under the evidence; and neither
arbitrary nor capricious. Dr. Witt's testimony indicated that a patient's
ultimate need for pain medication and pain management procedures such as
injections remains unknown until after the individual has undergone
detoxification. Relying on his experience as well as studies that showed very
small doses of opioid medication administered directly to the spine via a pump
to be highly effective, he opined that the treatment would provide the claimant
with greater pain control without the harmful side effects of the present dose.
He acknowledged that the detoxification program he recommended would be
difficult, unpleasant, and require the claimant's commitment, but nothing
indicated that the program or the implantation of a morphine pump would
present a risk to the claimant's life or health any greater than the risks of
continuing his present treatment. Moreover, nothing indicated that the
implantation of a morphine pump would involve major surgery 15 and Dr.
Cassaro's records conflicted with his testimony that the claimant experienced
an immune reaction to the spinal cord stimulator.
The decision of the Court of Appeals is affirmed.
All sitting. All concur.
15
See Hefley v. E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company, 424 S.W.2d 396 (Ky. 1968).
16
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT,
RAYMOND 0. POYNTER:
Thomas W. Davis
Thomas W. Davis, PSC
The Times Building
135 West Public Square
Glasgow, KY 42141
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE,
BARREN-METCALFE AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Denis S. Kline
Stephanie Dawn Ross
Ferreri & Fogle, PLLC
333 Guthrie Green
Suite 203
Louisville, KY 40202
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE,
DR. MICHAEL CASSARO:
Dr. Michael Cassaro
4010 Dupont Circle
Suite 430
Louisville, KY 40207
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE,
DR. AMELIA KISER:
Dr. Amelia Kiser
218 Columbia Avenue
P.O. Box 1538
Glasgow, KY 42141
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE,
THE LASER SPINE INSTITUTE:
Not Represented by Counsel
17
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