Crozer Chester Medical Center v. Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Health Care Services Review Division

OPINION

Chief Justice CASTILLE.*

In this direct appeal, we decide whether the Commonwealth Court should have compelled appellee Department of Labor and Industry (the “Department”) via a writ of mandamus to reach the merits of a fee review petition filed by appellant Crozer Chester Medical Center (“Crozer”) pursuant to Section 306(f.l)(5) of the Workers’ Compensation Act (“Act”), 77 P.S. § 531(5). The Commonwealth Court declined to issue the writ, concluding that the Department correctly dismissed as premature Crozer’s application for fee review. The issue, as phrased by Crozer, is:

Whether the…