Psychologists Now Allowed to Serve as Attending Providers in Washington
Previously, psychologists were not permitted to serve as an attending provider in Washington workers’ compensation claims. However, House Bill 1197, which was passed during the 2023 legislative session, will update RCW 51.28.020 to allow psychologists to serve as an attending provider for workers’ compensation claims that solely involve mental health condition(s). This change will be effective July 1, 2025.
The Department of Labor & Industries has clarified that if a physical condition was allowed at any point during the life of the claim, a psychologist cannot serve as the attending provider. In addition, psychologist attending providers will not be permitted to provide impairment ratings. This is consistent with WAC 296-20-2010, which limits the performance of impairment rating examinations to attending providers and consultants who are licensed in both medicine and surgery (including osteopathic and podiatric) or dentistry, and Department-approved chiropractors.
Psychologists currently providing care to injured workers must join the Department’s Medical Provider Network (MPN) in order to continue treating workers, whether in the role of a treating or an attending provider. Psychologists who do not join the MPN will be limited to performing initial visits on solely mental health cases. Psychologists will not be able to conduct an initial visit if any physical conditions are contended. WAC 296-20-01002 defines an initial visit as: “The first visit to a health care provider during which the Report of Industrial Injury or Occupational Disease (ROA) is completed and the worker files a claim for workers’ compensation.”
If you have any questions regarding psychologists serving as attending providers and how this might impact a claim, please do not hesitate to contact me at or by telephone at 503-595-6114.
Posted by Elizabeth Aaberg.
