To treat workers under the Industrial Insurance Act, a health care provider must qualify as an approved provider under the department's rules. The department must approve the health care provider before the health care provider is eligible for payment for services.

(1) A provider must:

(a) Apply and be enrolled in the provider network per WAC 296-20-01010; or

(b) If the provider network scope in WAC 296-20-01010 is not applicable, apply and obtain a provider account number per WAC 296-20-12401.

(2) If the provider or service is within the scope of the provider network under WAC 296-20-01010:

(a) A nonnetwork provider is not authorized to treat and will not be reimbursed by the department or self-insurer for services other than the initial office or emergency room visit. The following services are considered part of the initial office or emergency room visit:

(i) Services that are bundled with those performed during the initial visit where no additional payment is due (as defined in WAC 296-20-01002); and

(ii) In the case of an injured worker directly hospitalized from an initial emergency room visit, all services related to the industrial injury or illness provided through the hospital discharge.

(b) A nonnetwork provider must refer injured workers to network providers when additional treatment is needed, and must provide timely copies of medical records to the other provider.

(3) Para-professionals, who are not independently licensed, must practice under the direct supervision of a licensed health care professional whose scope of practice and specialty training includes the service provided by the para-professional. The department may deny direct reimbursement to the para-professional for services rendered, and may instead directly reimburse the licensed and supervising health care professional for covered services. Payment rules for para-professionals may be determined by department policy.

(4) Procedures and evaluations requiring specialized skills and knowledge will be limited to board certified or board qualified physicians, or osteopathic physicians as specified by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association.

(5) The department as a trustee of the medical aid fund has a duty to supervise provision of proper and necessary medical care that is delivered promptly, efficiently, and economically. The department can deny, revoke, suspend, limit, or impose conditions on a health care provider's authorization to treat workers under the Industrial Insurance Act. Reasons for denying issuance of a provider number or imposing any of the above restrictions include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Incompetence or negligence, which results in injury to a worker or which creates an unreasonable risk that a worker may be harmed.

(b) The possession, use, prescription for use, or distribution of controlled substances, legend drugs, or addictive, habituating, or dependency-inducing substances in any way other than for therapeutic purposes.

(c) Any temporary or permanent probation, suspension, revocation, or type of limitation of a practitioner's license to practice by any court, board, or administrative agency.

(d) The commission of any act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption relating to the practice of the provider's profession. The act need not constitute a crime. If a conviction or finding of such an act is reached by a court or other tribunal pursuant to plea, hearing, or trial, a certified copy of the conviction or finding is conclusive evidence of the violation.

(e) The failure to comply with the department's orders, rules, or policies.

(f) The failure, neglect, or refusal to:

(i) Provide records requested by the department pursuant to a health care services review or an audit.

(ii) Submit complete, adequate, and detailed reports or additional reports requested or required by the department regarding the treatment and condition of a worker.

(g) The submission or collusion in the submission of false or misleading reports or bills to any government agency.

(h) Billing a worker for:

(i) Treatment of an industrial condition for which the department has accepted responsibility; or

(ii) The difference between the amount paid by the department under the maximum allowable fee set forth in these rules and any other charge.

(i) Repeated failure to notify the department immediately and prior to burial in any death, where the cause of the death is not definitely known and possibly related to an industrial injury or occupational disease.

(j) Repeated failure to recognize emotional and social factors impeding recovery of a worker who is being treated under the Industrial Insurance Act.

(k) Repeated unreasonable refusal to comply with the recommendations of board certified or qualified specialists who have examined a worker.

(l) Repeated use of:

(i) Treatment of controversial or experimental nature;

(ii) Contraindicated or hazardous treatment; or

(iii) Treatment past stabilization of the industrial condition or after maximum curative improvement has been obtained.

(m) Declaration of mental incompetency by a court or other tribunal.

(n) Failure to comply with the applicable code of professional conduct or ethics.

(o) Failure to inform the department of any disciplinary action issued by order or formal letter taken against the provider's license to practice.

(p) The finding of any peer group review body of reason to take action against the provider's practice privileges.

(q) Misrepresentation or omission of any material information in the application for authorization to treat workers, chapter 51.04 RCW.

(6) If the department finds reason to take corrective action, the department may also order one or more of the following:

(a) Recoupment of payments made to the provider, including interest, chapter 51.04 RCW;

(b) Denial or reduction of payment;

(c) Assessment of penalties for each action that falls within the scope of subsection (5)(a) through (q) of this section, chapter 51.48 RCW;

(d) Placement of the provider on a prepayment review status requiring the submission of supporting documents prior to payment;

(e) Requirement to satisfactorily complete remedial education courses and/or programs; and

(f) Imposition of other appropriate restrictions or conditions on the provider's privilege to be reimbursed for treating workers under the Industrial Insurance Act.

(7) The department shall forward a copy of any corrective action taken against a provider to the applicable disciplinary authority.

PDFWAC 296-20-015

Who may treat.