FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1765

C 98 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the license surcharge for the impaired physician program.

Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Moeller, Campbell and Morrell).

House Committee on Health Care & Wellness

House Committee on Health & Human Services Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) operates, by contract, an impaired physician program in which both physicians and physician assistants may participate.

The Department of Health (DOH) is authorized to include the following in the program:

• entering into relationships with professionals who provide either evaluation or treatment services;

• receiving and assessing reports of suspected impairment;

• intervening in cases of verified impairment, or in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect impairment;

• referring impaired physicians, or physician assistants, for evaluation or treatment;

• monitoring the treatment and rehabilitation of impaired physicians and physician assistants;

• providing monitoring, continuing treatment, and rehabilitative support;

• providing prevention and education services; and

• providing other activities as agreed by the MQAC and the contracting entity.

As part of their annual fees, physicians and physician assistants are assessed a surcharge to fund this program of $35 for physicians and $25 for physician assistants. The surcharge is deposited into the Impaired Physician Account to be used solely for the implementation of the impaired physician program.

Summary:

The Medical Quality Assurance Commission must increase the surcharge for the impaired physician program to $50. All funds in the Impaired Physician Account must be paid to the contract entity within 60 days of deposit.

Votes on Final Passage: