Medical Provider Network Reforms in Washington
Beginning January 1, 2013, Washington medical providers will be required to be in the new statewide workers’ compensation medical network in order to treat injured workers beyond an initial office visit or emergency room visit, regardless of whether the injured worker is covered by a self-insured employer or L&I. Beginning January 1 the following providers will be required to be in the new network in order to provide ongoing care to injured workers: physicians, chiropractors, naturopathy physicians, podiatric physicians and surgeons, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, and optometrists. As of that date self-insured employers will only need to pay in-network providers for ongoing care. It will be up to the self-insured employer to confirm whether a provider is in the network. To do so L&I will offer an online Provider Directory beginning October 2012 that will allow self-insurers to search for a provider’s network status.
For more information see www.ProviderNetwork.Lni.wa.gov or contact me at
