(1) Procedures, instruments for treatment and/or diagnostic evaluation used by a doctor of chiropractic shall be classified by the commission as follows:
(a) "Approved": A procedure or instrument which is taught by a commission approved chiropractic college for patient clinical application and not for research or experimental purposes and is allowable by statute. All factors listed under subsection (4) of this section shall be considered before a procedure or instrument is placed in the approved classification.
(b) "Nonapproved or experimental": Any procedure or instrument that does not meet with commission approval. A procedure or instrument in this classification shall pass further testing in the laboratory before it can be used on the public. These may be defined by previous declaratory rules or rules and regulations.
(c) "Research or investigational": A procedure or instrumentation that is not approved, but may have a positive benefit in the diagnosis or care of a patient's condition. No billing is allowed for procedures or instruments used under this classification.
(2) The commission shall maintain a classified list of chiropractic procedures and instrumentation. The list shall be made available upon request.
(3) A doctor who intends to use a new procedure or instrument in practice shall notify the commission to determine the classification of the procedure or instrument. If the procedure or instrument is not classified or if new information on a previously classified procedure or instrument is available the doctor shall:
(a) Provide the commission with supporting documentation concerning the use of such a procedure or instrumentation;
(b) Demonstrate sufficient additional training or study for the doctor and utilizing staff to properly use the procedure or instrumentation.
(4) The commission may use the following factors to determine the classification of the procedure or instrumentation, and shall notify the doctor of such classification:
(a) The new procedure or instrument is taught at an approved chiropractic college.
(b) There is a scientific basis for the new procedure or instrument.
(c) The procedure or instrument has a direct and positive relationship to chiropractic care.
(d) Comparison of potential risk to benefit to the patient.
(e) Any other factors the commission may wish to consider.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter
18.25 RCW. WSR 96-16-074, § 246-808-505, filed 8/6/96, effective 9/6/96.]