Date of Adoption: October 14, 2003.

     Purpose: WAC 296-20-010 General information, 296-20-01002 Definitions, 296-20-01501 Physician's assistant rules, 296-20-02010 Review of health services providers, 296-20-12501 Physician assistant billing procedure, 296-20-170 Pharmacy, 296-23-240 Licensed nursing rules, 296-23-246 Attendant services, and 296-23A-0710 Definitions. These WACs will be amended to make clearer how to number claims, how to refer to the "healthcare common procedure coding system," how to bill as a physician assistant, that doctors certify timeless compensation, and that pharmacies must refund any charges paid up front by the worker once the claim is allowed. In addition, WAC 296-20-303 Attendant care services is renumbered to WAC 296-23-246.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 296-20-010, 296-20-01002, 296-20-01501, 296-20-02010, 296-20-12501, 296-20-170, 296-23-240, and 296-23A-0710.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 51.04.020.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 03-14-127 on July 1, 2003.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 9, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 9, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: December 1, 2003.

October 14, 2003

Paul Trause

Director

OTS-6420.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 96-10-086, filed 5/1/96, effective 7/1/96)

WAC 296-20-010   General information.   (1) The following rules are promulgated pursuant to RCW 51.04.020 and 51.04.030. The department or self-insurer may purchase necessary physician and other provider services according to the fee schedules. The fee schedules shall be established in consultation with interested persons and updated at times determined by the department in consultation with those interested persons. Prior to the establishment or amendment of the fee schedules, the department will give at least thirty calendar days notice by mail to interested persons who have made timely request for advance notice of the establishment or amendment of the fee schedules. To request advance notice of the establishment or amendment of the fee schedules, interested persons must contact the department at the following address:

     Department of Labor and Industries

     Health Services Analysis

     Interested Person's Mailing List for the Fee Schedules

     P.O. Box 44322

     Olympia, WA 98504-4322

     The department or self-insurer will require the current version of the federal Health Care ((Financing Administration's)) Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level I (or CPT) and II codes on January 1, of each new year. CPT refers to the American Medical Association's Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology codes.

     The department and self-insurer will allow a "grace period" in which codes deleted each year may be submitted for payment. This grace period will start on January 1 of each year and the length of time will be determined by department policy.

     The adoption of these codes on an annual basis is designed to reduce the administrative burden on providers and lead to more accurate reporting of services. However, the inclusion of a service, product or supply within these new codes does not necessarily imply coverage, reimbursement or endorsement, by the department or self-insurer. The department will make coverage and reimbursement decisions for these new codes on an individual basis.

     If there are any services, procedures or narrative text contained in the new HCPCS Level I and II codes that conflict with the medical aid rules or fee schedules, the department's rules and policies take precedence.

     Copies of the HCPCS Level I and II codes are available for public inspection. These documents are available in each of the department's service locations.

     Copies of the HCPCS Level II codes may be purchased from:

     The Superintendent of Documents

     United States Government Printing Office

     Washington, DC 20402

     (202) 783-3238

     Copies of the Level I (or CPT) codes may be purchased from:

     The American Medical Association

     Chicago, Illinois 60601

     (800) 621-8335

     In addition to the sources listed above, both the Level I and II codes may be purchased from a variety of private sources.

     (2) The fee schedules are intended to cover all services for accepted industrial insurance claims. All fees listed are the maximum fees allowable. Practitioners shall bill their usual and customary fee for services. If a usual and customary fee for any particular service is lower to the general public than listed in the fee schedules, the practitioner shall bill the department or self-insurer at the lower rate. The department or self-insurer will pay the lesser of the billed charge or the fee schedules' maximum allowable.

     (3) The rules contained in the introductory section pertain to all practitioners regardless of specialty area or limitation of practice. Additional rules pertaining to specialty areas will be found in the appropriate section of the medical aid rules.

     (4) The methodology for making conversion factor cost of living adjustments is listed in WAC 296-20-132. The conversion factors are listed in WAC 296-20-135.

     (5) No fee is payable for missed appointments unless the appointment is for an examination arranged by the department or self-insurer.

     (6) When a claim has been accepted by the department or self-insurer, no provider or his/her representative may bill the worker for the difference between the allowable fee and the usual and customary charge. Nor can the worker be charged a fee, either for interest or completion of forms, related to services rendered for the industrial injury or condition. Refer to chapter 51.04 RCW.

     (7) Practitioners must maintain documentation in claimant medical or health care service records adequate to verify the level, type, and extent of services provided to claimants. A health care practitioner's bill for services, appointment book, accounting records, or other similar methodology do not qualify as appropriate documentation for services rendered. Refer to chapter 296-20 WAC and department policy for reporting requirements.

     (8) Except as provided in WAC 296-20-055 (Limitation of treatment and temporary treatment of unrelated conditions when retarding recovery), practitioners shall bill, and the department or self-insurer shall pay, only for proper and necessary medical care required for the diagnosis and curative or rehabilitative treatment of the accepted condition.

     (9) When a worker is being treated concurrently for an unrelated condition the fee allowable for the service(s) rendered must be shared proportionally between the payors.

     (10) Correspondence: Correspondence pertaining to state fund and department of energy claims should be sent to: Department of Labor and Industries, Claims Administration, P.O. Box 44291, Olympia, Washington 98504-4291.

     Accident reports should be sent to: Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44299, Olympia, Washington 98504-4299.

     Send provider bills by type (UB-92) to: Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44266, Olympia, Washington 98504-4266.

     Adjustments, Home Nursing, Retraining, Job Modification, and Miscellaneous to: Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44267, Olympia, Washington 98504-4267.

     Pharmacy to: Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44268, Olympia, Washington 98504-4268.

     ((HFCA)) HCFA-1500 to: Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44269, Olympia, Washington 98504-4269.

     State fund claims have six digit numbers preceded by a letter other than "S," "T," or "((V))W."

     ((Department of energy claims have seven digit numbers with no letter prefix.))

     All correspondence and billings pertaining to crime victims claims should be sent to Crime Victims Division, Department of Labor and Industries, P.O. Box 44520, Olympia, Washington 98504-4520.

     Crime victim claims have six digit numbers preceded by a "V((.))" or five digit numbers preceded by "VA," "VB," "VC," "VH," "VJ," or "VK."

     All correspondence and billings pertaining to self-insured claims should be sent directly to the employer or the service representative as the case may be.

     Self-insured claims are six digit numbers preceded by ((a)) an "S," ((or)) "T," or "W."

     Communications to the department or self-insurer must show the patient's full name and claim number. If the claim number is unavailable, providers should contact the department or self-insurer for the number, indicating the patient's name, Social Security number, the date and the nature of the injury, and the employer's name. A communication should refer to one claim only. Correspondence must be legible and reproducible, as department records are microfilmed. Correspondence regarding specific claim matters should be sent directly to the department in Olympia or self-insurer in order to avoid rehandling by the service location.

     (11) The department's various local service locations should be utilized by providers to obtain information, supplies, or assistance in dealing with matters pertaining to industrial injuries.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 96-10-086, § 296-20-010, filed 5/1/96, effective 7/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 94-14-044, § 296-20-010, filed 6/29/94, effective 7/30/94; 93-16-072, § 296-20-010, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 92-24-066, § 296-20-010, filed 12/1/92, effective 1/1/93; 90-04-057, § 296-20-010, filed 2/2/90, effective 3/5/90; 87-24-050 (Order 87-23), § 296-20-010, filed 11/30/87, effective 1/1/88; 86-20-074 (Order 86-36), § 296-20-010, filed 10/1/86, effective 11/1/86; 86-06-032 (Order 86-19), § 296-20-010, filed 2/28/86, effective 4/1/86; 83-16-066 (Order 83-23), § 296-20-010, filed 8/2/83. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4), 51.04.030, and 51.16.120(3). 81-24-041 (Order 81-28), § 296-20-010, filed 11/30/81, effective 1/1/82; 81-01-100 (Order 80-29), § 296-20-010, filed 12/23/80, effective 3/1/81; Order 76-34, § 296-20-010, filed 11/24/76, effective 1/1/77; Order 75-39, § 296-20-010, filed 11/28/75, effective 1/1/76; Order 74-7, § 296-20-010, filed 1/30/74; Order 70-12, § 296-20-010, filed 12/1/70, effective 1/1/71; Order 68-7, § 296-20-010, filed 11/27/68, effective 1/1/69.]

     Attendant care: Those proper and necessary personal care services provided to maintain the worker in his or her residence. Refer to WAC 296-20-303 for more information.

     Attending doctor report: This type of report may also be referred to as a "60 day" or "special" report. The following information must be included in this type of report. Also, additional information may be requested by the department as needed.

     (1) The condition(s) diagnosed including ICD-9-CM codes and the objective and subjective findings.

     (2) Their relationship, if any, to the industrial injury or exposure.

     (3) Outline of proposed treatment program, its length, components, and expected prognosis including an estimate of when treatment should be concluded and condition(s) stable. An estimated return to work date should be included. The probability, if any, of permanent partial disability resulting from industrial conditions should be noted.

     (4) If the worker has not returned to work, the attending doctor should indicate whether a vocational assessment will be necessary to evaluate the worker's ability to return to work and why.

     (5) If the worker has not returned to work, a doctor's estimate of physical capacities should be included with the report. If further information regarding physical capacities is needed or required, a performance-based physical capacities evaluation can be requested. Performance-based physical capacities evaluations should be conducted by a licensed occupational therapist or a licensed physical therapist. Performance-based physical capacities evaluations may also be conducted by other qualified professionals who provided performance-based physical capacities evaluations to the department prior to May 20, 1987, and who have received written approval to continue supplying this service based on formal department review of their qualifications.

     Authorization: Notification by a qualified representative of the department or self-insurer that specific proper and necessary treatment, services, or equipment provided for the diagnosis and curative or rehabilitative treatment of an accepted condition will be reimbursed by the department or self-insurer.

     Average wholesale price (AWP): A pharmacy reimbursement formula by which the pharmacist is reimbursed for the cost of the product plus a mark-up. The AWP is an industry benchmark which is developed independently by companies that specifically monitor drug pricing.

     Baseline price (BLP): Is derived by calculating the mean average for all NDC's (National Drug Code) in a specific product group, determining the standard deviation, and calculating a new mean average using all prices within one standard deviation of the original mean average. "Baseline price" is a drug pricing mechanism developed and updated by First Data Bank.

     Bundled codes: When a bundled code is covered, payment for them is subsumed by the payment for the codes or services to which they are incident. (An example is a telephone call from a hospital nurse regarding care of a patient. This service is not separately payable because it is included in the payment for other services such as hospital visits.) Bundled codes and services are identified in the fee schedules.

     By report: BR (by report) in the value column of the fee schedules indicates that the value of this service is to be determined by report (BR) because the service is too unusual, variable or new to be assigned a unit value. The report shall provide an adequate definition or description of the services or procedures that explain why the services or procedures (e.g., operative, medical, radiological, laboratory, pathology, or other similar service report) are too unusual, variable, or complex to be assigned a relative value unit, using any of the following as indicated:

     (1) Diagnosis;

     (2) Size, location and number of lesion(s) or procedure(s) where appropriate;

     (3) Surgical procedure(s) and supplementary procedure(s);

     (4) Whenever possible, list the nearest similar procedure by number according to the fee schedules;

     (5) Estimated follow-up;

     (6) Operative time;

     (7) Describe in detail any service rendered and billed using an "unlisted" procedure code.

     The department or self-insurer may adjust BR procedures when such action is indicated.

     Chart notes: This type of documentation may also be referred to as "office" or "progress" notes. Providers must maintain charts and records in order to support and justify the services provided. "Chart" means a compendium of medical records on an individual patient. "Record" means dated reports supporting bills submitted to the department or self-insurer for medical services provided in an office, nursing facility, hospital, outpatient, emergency room, or other place of service. Records of service shall be entered in a chronological order by the practitioner who rendered the service. For reimbursement purposes, such records shall be legible, and shall include, but are not limited to:

     (1) Date(s) of service;

     (2) Patient's name and date of birth;

     (3) Claim number;

     (4) Name and title of the person performing the service;

     (5) Chief complaint or reason for each visit;

     (6) Pertinent medical history;

     (7) Pertinent findings on examination;

     (8) Medications and/or equipment/supplies prescribed or provided;

     (9) Description of treatment (when applicable);

     (10) Recommendations for additional treatments, procedures, or consultations;

     (11) X rays, tests, and results; and

     (12) Plan of treatment/care/outcome.

     Consultation examination report: The following information must be included in this type of report. Additional information may be requested by the department as needed.

     (1) A detailed history to establish:

     (a) The type and severity of the industrial injury or occupational disease.

     (b) The patient's previous physical and mental health.

     (c) Any social and emotional factors which may effect recovery.

     (2) A comparison history between history provided by attending doctor and injured worker, must be provided with exam.

     (3) A detailed physical examination concerning all systems affected by the industrial accident.

     (4) A general physical examination sufficient to demonstrate any preexisting impairments of function or concurrent condition.

     (5) A complete diagnosis of all pathological conditions including ICD-9-CM codes found to be listed:

     (a) Due solely to injury.

     (b) Preexisting condition aggravated by the injury and the extent of aggravation.

     (c) Other medical conditions neither related to nor aggravated by the injury but which may retard recovery.

     (d) Coexisting disease (arthritis, congenital deformities, heart disease, etc.).

     (6) Conclusions must include:

     (a) Type of treatment recommended for each pathological condition and the probable duration of treatment.

     (b) Expected degree of recovery from the industrial condition.

     (c) Probability, if any, of permanent disability resulting from the industrial condition.

     (d) Probability of returning to work.

     (7) Reports of necessary, reasonable X-ray and laboratory studies to establish or confirm the diagnosis when indicated.

     Doctor: For these rules, means a person licensed to practice one or more of the following professions: Medicine and surgery; osteopathic medicine and surgery; chiropractic; naturopathic physician; podiatry; dentistry; optometry.

     Only those persons so licensed may sign report of accident forms and certify time loss ((cards)) compensation except as provided in chapter 296-20 WAC.

     Emergent hospital admission: Placement of the worker in an acute care hospital for treatment of a work related medical condition of an unforeseen or rapidly progressing nature which if not treated in an inpatient setting, is likely to jeopardize the worker's health or treatment outcome.

     Fatal: When the attending doctor has reason to believe a worker has died as a result of an industrial injury or exposure, the doctor should notify the nearest department service location or the self-insurer immediately. Often an autopsy is required by the department or self-insurer. If so, it will be authorized by the service location manager or the self-insurer. Benefits payable include burial stipend and monthly payments to the surviving spouse and/or dependents.

     Fee schedules or maximum fee schedule(s): The fee schedules consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

     (a) Health Care ((Financing Administration's)) Common Procedure Coding System Level I and II Codes, descriptions and modifiers that describe medical and other services, supplies and materials.

     (b) Codes, descriptions and modifiers developed by the department.

     (c) Relative value units (RVUs), calculated or assigned dollar values, percent-of-allowed-charges (POAC), or diagnostic related groups (DRGs), that set the maximum allowable fee for services rendered.

     (d) Billing instructions or policies relating to the submission of bills by providers and the payment of bills by the department or self-insurer.

     (e) Average wholesale price (AWP), baseline price (BLP), and policies related to the purchase of medications.

     Health services provider or provider: For these rules means any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, agency, institution, or other legal entity providing any kind of services related to the treatment of an industrially injured worker. It includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, medical doctors, dentists, chiropractors, vocational rehabilitation counselors, osteopathic physicians, pharmacists, podiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, psychologists, naturopathic physicians, and durable medical equipment dealers.

     Home nursing: Those nursing services that are proper and necessary to maintain the worker in his or her residence. These services must be provided through an agency licensed, certified or registered to provide home care, home health or hospice services. Refer to WAC 296-20-091 for more information.

     Independent or separate procedure: Certain of the fee schedule's listed procedures are commonly carried out as an integral part of a total service, and as such do not warrant a separate charge. When such a procedure is carried out as a separate entity, not immediately related to other services, the indicated value for "independent procedure" is applicable.

     Medical aid rules: The Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) that contain the administrative rules for medical and other services rendered to workers.

     Modified work status: The worker is not able to return to their previous work, but is physically capable of carrying out work of a lighter nature. Workers should be urged to return to modified work as soon as reasonable as such work is frequently beneficial for body conditioning and regaining self confidence.

     Under RCW 51.32.090, when the employer has modified work available for the worker, the employer must furnish the doctor and the worker with a statement describing the available work in terms that will enable the doctor to relate the physical activities of the job to the worker's physical limitations and capabilities. The doctor shall then determine whether the worker is physically able to perform the work described. The employer may not increase the physical requirements of the job without requesting the opinion of the doctor as to the worker's ability to perform such additional work. If after a trial period of reemployment the worker is unable to continue with such work, the worker's time loss compensation will be resumed upon certification by the attending doctor.

     If the employer has no modified work available, the department should be notified immediately, so vocational assessment can be conducted to determine whether the worker will require assistance in returning to work.

     Nonemergent (elective) hospital admission: Placement of the worker in an acute care hospital for medical treatment of an accepted condition which may be safely scheduled in advance without jeopardizing the worker's health or treatment outcome.

     Physician: For these rules, means any person licensed to perform one or more of the following professions: Medicine and surgery; or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

     Practitioner: For these rules, means any person defined as a "doctor" under these rules, or licensed to practice one or more of the following professions: Audiology; physical therapy; occupational therapy; pharmacy; prosthetics; orthotics; psychology; nursing; physician or osteopathic assistant; and massage therapy.

     Proper and necessary:

     (1) The department or self-insurer pays for proper and necessary health care services that are related to the diagnosis and treatment of an accepted condition.

     (2) Under the Industrial Insurance Act, "proper and necessary" refers to those health care services which are:

     (a) Reflective of accepted standards of good practice, within the scope of practice of the provider's license or certification;

     (b) Curative or rehabilitative. Care must be of a type to cure the effects of a work-related injury or illness, or it must be rehabilitative. Curative treatment produces permanent changes, which eliminate or lessen the clinical effects of an accepted condition. Rehabilitative treatment allows an injured or ill worker to regain functional activity in the presence of an interfering accepted condition. Curative and rehabilitative care produce long-term changes;

     (c) Not delivered primarily for the convenience of the claimant, the claimant's attending doctor, or any other provider; and

     (d) Provided at the least cost and in the least intensive setting of care consistent with the other provisions of this definition.

     (3) The department or self-insurer stops payment for health care services once a worker reaches a state of maximum medical improvement. Maximum medical improvement occurs when no fundamental or marked change in an accepted condition can be expected, with or without treatment. Maximum medical improvement may be present though there may be fluctuations in levels of pain and function. A worker's condition may have reached maximum medical improvement though it might be expected to improve or deteriorate with the passage of time. Once a worker's condition has reached maximum medical improvement, treatment that results only in temporary or transient changes is not proper and necessary. "Maximum medical improvement" is equivalent to "fixed and stable."

     (4) In no case shall services which are inappropriate to the accepted condition or which present hazards in excess of the expected medical benefits be considered proper and necessary. Services that are controversial, obsolete, investigational or experimental are presumed not to be proper and necessary, and shall be authorized only as provided in WAC 296-20-03002(6) and 296-20-02850.

     Regular work status: The injured worker is physically capable of returning to his/her regular work. It is the duty of the attending doctor to notify the worker and the department or self-insurer, as the case may be, of the specific date of release to return to regular work. Compensation will be terminated on the release date. Further treatment can be allowed as requested by the attending doctor if the condition is not stationary and such treatment is needed and otherwise in order.

     Temporary partial disability: Partial time loss compensation may be paid when the worker can return to work on a limited basis or return to a lesser paying job is necessitated by the accepted injury or condition. The worker must have a reduction in wages of more than five percent before consideration of partial time loss can be made. No partial time loss compensation can be paid after the worker's condition is stationary. All time loss compensation must be certified by the attending doctor based on objective findings.

     Termination of treatment: When treatment is no longer required and/or the industrial condition is stabilized, a report indicating the date of stabilization should be submitted to the department or self-insurer. This is necessary to initiate closure of the industrial claim. The patient may require continued treatment for conditions not related to the industrial condition; however, financial responsibility for such care must be the patient's.

     Total permanent disability: Loss of both legs or arms, or one leg and one arm, total loss of eyesight, paralysis or other condition permanently incapacitating the worker from performing any work at any gainful employment. When the attending doctor feels a worker may be totally and permanently disabled, the attending doctor should communicate this information immediately to the department or self-insurer. A vocational evaluation and an independent rating of disability may be arranged by the department prior to a determination as to total permanent disability. Coverage for treatment does not usually continue after the date an injured worker is placed on pension.

     Total temporary disability: Full-time loss compensation will be paid when the worker is unable to return to any type of reasonably continuous gainful employment as a direct result of an accepted industrial injury or exposure.

     Unusual or unlisted procedure: Value of unlisted services or procedures should be substantiated "by report" (BR).

     Utilization review: The assessment of a claimant's medical care to assure that it is proper and necessary and of good quality. This assessment typically considers the appropriateness of the place of care, level of care, and the duration, frequency or quantity of services provided in relation to the accepted condition being treated.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.010, 51.04.020, 51.04.030, 51.32.080, 51.32.110, 51.32.112, 51.36.060. 02-21-105, § 296-20-01002, filed 10/22/02, effective 12/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030, 51.32.060, 51.32.072, and 7.68.070. 01-18-041, § 296-20-01002, filed 8/29/01, effective 10/1/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020 and 51.04.030. 00-01-039, § 296-20-01002, filed 12/7/99, effective 1/8/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.030, 70.14.050 and 51.04.020(4). 95-16-031, § 296-20-01002, filed 7/21/95, effective 8/22/95. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93-16-072, § 296-20-01002, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 92-24-066, § 296-20-01002, filed 12/1/92, effective 1/1/93; 92-05-041, § 296-20-01002, filed 2/13/92, effective 3/15/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020. 90-14-009, § 296-20-01002, filed 6/25/90, effective 8/1/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 90-04-057, § 296-20-01002, filed 2/2/90, effective 3/5/90; 87-24-050 (Order 87-23), § 296-20-01002, filed 11/30/87, effective 1/1/88; 86-20-074 (Order 86-36), § 296-20-01002, filed 10/1/86, effective 11/1/86; 83-24-016 (Order 83-35), § 296-20-01002, filed 11/30/83, effective 1/1/84; 83-16-066 (Order 83-23), § 296-20-01002, filed 8/2/83. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4), 51.04.030, and 51.16.120(3). 81-24-041 (Order 81-28), § 296-20-01002, filed 11/30/81, effective 1/1/82; 81-01-100 (Order 80-29), § 296-20-01002, filed 12/23/80, effective 3/1/81.]

     (2) Physicians' assistants may perform those medical services which are within the scope of their physician's assistant license for industrial injury cases within the limitations of subsection (3) of this section.

     (3) Advance approval must be obtained from the department to treat industrial injury cases. To be eligible to treat industrial injuries, the physician's assistant must:

     (a) Provide the department with a copy of his/her license.

     (b) Provide the name and address and specialty of the supervising physician.

     (c) Provide the department with the evidence of a reliable and rapid system of communication with the supervising physician.

     (4) Physicians' assistants may prepare report of accident, time loss ((cards)) compensation certification, and progress reports for the supervising physician's signature. Physicians' assistants cannot submit such information under his/her signature.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93-16-072, § 296-20-01501, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4), 51.04.030, and 51.16.120(3). 81-24-041 (Order 81-28), § 296-20-01501, filed 11/30/81, effective 1/1/82; 81-01-100 (Order 80-29), § 296-20-01501, filed 12/23/80, effective 3/1/81. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.030 and 51.16.035. 79-12-086 (Order 79-18), § 296-20-01501, filed 11/30/79, effective 1/1/80.]

     (2) The department may review records before, during, or after delivery of health services. Records reviews may be for cause or at random and may include the utilization of statistical sampling methodologies and projections based upon sample findings. Records reviews may be conducted at or away from the provider's places of business, at the department's discretion.

     (3) The department will give ten working days' written notification to any provider((, except as authorized in WAC 296-18A-460,)) that the provider's patient and billing related records will be reviewed by an auditor at the provider's place(s) of business to determine compliance with medical aid rules and standards.

     (4) The department may request legible copies of providers' records. Providers shall furnish copies of the requested records within thirty calendar days of receipt of the request.

     (5) The department will not remove original records from provider's premises.

     (6) For information regarding the formal appeals process refer to chapter 51.52 RCW.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 90-04-057, § 296-20-02010, filed 2/2/90, effective 3/5/90; 86-20-074 (Order 86-36), § 296-20-02010, filed 10/1/86, effective 11/1/86.]

     (1) Bills must be itemized on department or self-insurer forms, as the case may be, specifying: The date, type of service and the charges for each service.

     (2) The bill form must be completed in detail to include the claim number. ((While the name of the physician's assistant rendering service must be included on the bill,)) All bills must be submitted under the ((supervising)) physician assistant's account number. Bills will be accepted when signed by other than the practitioner rendering services. When bills are prepared by someone else, the responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the description of services and charges rests with the supervising physician.

     (3) For a bill to be considered for payment, it must be received in the department or by the self-insurer within one year from the date each specific treatment and/or service was rendered or performed. Whenever possible, bills should be submitted monthly.

     (4) Bills cannot be paid for services rendered while a claim is closed.

     (5) The department or self-insurer may deny payment of bills for services rendered in violation of the medical aid rules or department policy. Workers may not be billed for services rendered in violation of these rules.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93-16-072, § 296-20-12501, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.030 and 51.16.035. 79-12-086 (Order 79-18), § 296-20-12501, filed 11/30/79, effective 1/1/80.]

     See WAC 296-20-020 for details on providing a refund.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93-16-072, § 296-20-170, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4) and 51.04.030. 86-06-032 (Order 86-19), § 296-20-170, filed 2/28/86, effective 4/1/86. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(4), 51.04.030, and 51.16.120(3). 80-18-033 (Order 80-24), § 296-20-170, filed 12/1/80, effective 1/1/81; Order 76-34, § 296-20-170, filed 11/24/76, effective 1/1/77.]

OTS-6421.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 93-16-072, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93)

WAC 296-23-240   Licensed nursing rules.   (1) Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses may perform private duty nursing care in industrial injury cases when the attending physician deems this care necessary. Registered nurses may be reimbursed for services as outlined by department policy. (See chapter 296-20 WAC for home nursing rules.)

     (2) Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) may perform advanced and specialized levels of nursing care on a fee for service basis in industrial injury cases within the limitations of this section. ARNPs may be reimbursed for services as outlined by department policy.

     (3) In order to treat workers under the Industrial Insurance Act, the advanced registered nurse practitioner must be:

     (a) Recognized by the Washington state board of nursing or other government agency as an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP). For out-of-state nurses an equivalent title and training may be approved at the department's discretion.

     (b) Capable of providing the department with evidence and documentation of a reliable and rapid system of obtaining physician consultations.

     (4) Billing procedures outlined in the medical aid rules and fee schedules apply to all nurses.

     (5) Advanced registered nurse practitioners cannot sign accident report forms or certify time loss ((cards)) compensation.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93- 16-072, § 296-23-240, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93.]

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is recodified as follows:

Old WAC Number	New WAC Number
296-20-303	296-23-246

OTS-6422.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-24-045, filed 11/29/01, effective 1/1/02)

WAC 296-23A-0710   Definitions.   "Alternate outpatient payment." A payment for proper and necessary services calculated using a method other than the APC method, such as the outpatient hospital rate or fee schedule.

     "Ambulatory payment classification (APC) bill." An outpatient bill for hospital services that are grouped and paid using APCs.

     "Ambulatory payment classification (APC) weight." The relative value assigned to each APC by CMS. For information on calculating the APC weights, please see 42 CFR, Chapter IV, Part 419, et al. Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for Hospital Outpatient Services.

     "Ambulatory payment classification (APC)." A grouping for outpatient visits which are similar both clinically and in the resources used.

     "Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)." Ambulatory surgery centers as defined by the department. ASCs are excluded from the APC payment system.

     "Blended rate." The dollar amount used to determine APC payments.

     "Bundling." Including the costs of supplies and certain other items with the costs of APCs. Bundled services will not be paid separately.

     "Cancer hospitals." Freestanding hospitals specializing in the treatment of individuals who have a neoplasm diagnosis.

     "Children's hospitals." Freestanding hospitals specializing in the treatment of individuals less than fourteen years of age.

     "CMS." Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).

     "Correct coding initiative." A process to encourage hospitals to code the most appropriate diagnosis and procedure for the services rendered.

     "Critical access hospitals." Critical access hospitals as defined by the department of health.

     "Current procedural terminology (CPT)." A systematic listing of descriptive terms and identifying codes for reporting medical services, procedures, interventions performed by physicians; the American Medical Association (AMA) publishes it annually.

     "Discount factor." The percentage applied to additional significant procedures when a claim has multiple significant procedures or when the same procedure is performed multiple times.

     "Exempt services." Services and hospitals that have been identified by CMS and/or L&I as exempt from the APC-based payment system.

     "Health care ((financing administration's)) common procedure coding system (HCPCS)." Medicare's procedure coding system, which consists of Level 1 CPT Codes, Level 2 National Codes, and Level 3 Local Codes.

     "Incidental services." Proper and necessary services that are integral to the delivery of the significant procedure or medical visit and are not separately reimbursable.

     "Inpatient only procedures." Certain procedures designated by CMS as being of sufficient resource intensity that an inpatient setting is always required.

     "Modifier." A two-digit alphabetic and/or numeric identifier that is added to the procedure code to indicate the type of service performed. Modifiers add clarification to procedures and can affect payment. Modifiers are listed in the current CPT and HCPCS manuals.

     "Non-APC services." Services specifically excluded by CMS or by L&I from APC payment.

     "Out-of-state hospitals." Any hospital not physically located within the state of Washington.

     "Outpatient code editor." A prepayment analysis program designed to exclude certain diagnostic and procedure codes from being classified within the APC payment system.

     "Outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS)." A payment system that groups hospital outpatient visits into APCs and multiplies the relative weight factor by the OPPS conversion rate to determine the appropriate payment.

     "Outpatient services." Proper and necessary healthcare services and treatment ordinarily furnished by a hospital in which the injured worker is not admitted as an inpatient.

     "Outpatient." A patient who receives proper and necessary healthcare services or supplies in a hospital-type setting but is not admitted as an inpatient.

     "Partial hospitalization." Mental health services provided in an inpatient setting without the traditional inpatient overnight stay.

     "Pediatric services." Proper and necessary healthcare services and treatment ordinarily furnished by a hospital in which the injured worker is under the age of fourteen.

     "Peer group." Categories of hospitals adopted by the department of health for rate setting purposes. The categories are:

     • Group 1 - Usually rural hospitals.

     • Group 2 - Usually urban hospitals without a medical education program.

     • Group 3 - Hospitals with a medical education program.

     "Psychiatric hospitals." Freestanding hospitals specializing in the treatment of individuals with a mental health disease.

     "Rehabilitation hospitals." Freestanding hospitals specializing in the treatment of individuals in need of rehabilitative services.

     "Related encounters or related services." Multiple encounters which are:

     • Provided within the same window of service; and

     • By the same provider (hospital).

     "Single visit." A single visit includes all related services that are combined for reimbursement when they occur with the same hospital during the window of service.

     "Special programs." Programs specifically designated by the department.

     "Transitional pass-through." Certain drugs, devices and biologicals, as identified by CMS that are entitled to a specified payment until CMS assigns and reimburses them under their own APC.

     "Window of service." A single date of service. All services associated with the visit for that date constitute a single visit, even when those services are provided on different days.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030, 51.36.080, 51.36.085. 01-24-045, § 296-23A-0710, filed 11/29/01, effective 1/1/02.]

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