WASHINGTON
Employee Selects

Upon the occurrence of any injury to a worker entitled to compensation under the provisions of this title, he or she shall receive proper and necessary medical and surgical services at the hands of a physician or licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner of his or her own choice, if conveniently located, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, and proper and necessary hospital care and services during the period of his or her disability from such injury.

Once the provider network is established in the worker's geographic area, an injured worker may receive care from a non-network provider only for an initial office or emergency room visit. (Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 51.36.010 (2)(a), (b))

Upon receipt of such notice of accident, the department shall immediately forward to the worker or his or her beneficiaries or dependents notification, in nontechnical language, of their rights under this title. The notice must specify the worker's right to receive health services from a physician or a licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner of the worker's choice under RCW 51.36.010, including chiropractic services under RCW 51.36.015, and must list the types of providers authorized to provide these services. Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW § 51.28.010(2))

Change of Provider
All transfers from one network provider to another must be approved by the department or self-insurer. Normally transfers will be allowed only after the worker has been under the care of the attending provider for sufficient time for the provider to: Complete necessary diagnostic studies, establish an appropriate treatment regimen, and evaluate the efficacy of the therapeutic program. Under RCW 51.36.010 the worker is entitled to free choice of treating provider. Except as provided under subsections (1) through (7) of this section, no reasonable request for transfer to a network provider will be denied. The worker must be advised when and why a transfer is denied. (WAC 296-20-065)

Panels
Not allowed

Panel Provisions

In previous discussions with WA regulators, the state has advised that posting panels is prohibited altogether because it runs counter to the intent of the direction of care laws.

The information on this website constitutes summary information only and does not constitute legal advice. Review of the full text of the referenced statutes and regulations may be necessary. Coventry Health Care Workers' Compensation, Inc. makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information contained on this website.