SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5282

BYSenators Tanner, Warnke, Vognild, Smitherman, Deccio, Newhouse and Garrett

Allowing self-insurers to select physicians for medical exams.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1987; February 2, 1987; January 19, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5282 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Conner, Deccio, Saling, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:David Cheal (786-7576)

                  February 5, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Director of the Department of Labor and Industries or a self-insured employer may require an injured worker to submit to an independent medical exam by a doctor of the director's choosing.  The director must choose the physician or physicians whether the injured worker's employer is self-insured or is insured through the state fund.  The director may charge the cost of the exam to either the state fund or to the self-insurer (employer).

SUMMARY:

Either the director or the self-insured employer selects the physician to conduct an independent medical exam for the purpose of resolving a medical question related to a workers' compensation claim.

The cost of exams of employees of self-insured employers is borne by the employer.  The state fund pays for the exam in cases of state fund insured employees.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The physician's report is required to be supplied to the injured worker and the department.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 15, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Douglas Connell, Dept. of Labor and Industries; Gail Mayes, Bob Sevart, IWAC (con); Melanie Stewart, Washington Self Insurers (pro)