BILL REQ. #:  H-0837.1 

Read first time 01/17/2007.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to industrial insurance compensation for medical or surgical treatment for intractable pain; and adding a new section to chapter 51.36 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 51.36 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Upon request of the treating provider, the department must authorize coverage for a trial on an individual worker entitled to benefits under this title of an implantable medical device intended to treat chronic intractable pain otherwise approved by the United States food and drug administration and considered standard of care throughout the interventional pain medical community.
     (2) If, after conducting the trial under subsection (1) of this section, the treating provider finds individual success in curing or relieving the symptoms of the individual worker entitled to benefits under this title, the department shall determine that the implantable medical device intended to treat chronic intractable pain is proper and necessary treatment for the worker under RCW 51.36.010 and shall authorize coverage for full implantation and follow-up treatment.
     (3) This section applies prospectively to all claims regardless of the date of injury.