Subject of Possible Rule Making: Medical provider network and who may treat; chapter 296-20 WAC, Medical aid rules.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making is needed to ensure clarity on the requirements for the medical provider network regarding providers' continued expectation to maintain network requirements in order to remain approved network providers.

Rule changes under consideration will clarify the expectation that approved providers must maintain and adhere to all network standards, help the department of labor and industries (L&I) address provider noncompliance post enrollment more efficiently, and will hold all approved providers to the same standards, ensuring workers receive the best care possible. These rule changes will make it easier for providers to do business with L&I by mitigating the potential burden of requiring providers to submit new applications for recredentialing on a recurrent basis.

Process for Developing New Rule: Parties interested in participating in the development of these rules may contact the individual listed below. Interested parties may also participate during the public comment period by submitting written comments or giving oral testimony at the public hearing.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Troy Parks, Provider Quality and Compliance Manager, L&I, Insurance Services, Health Services Analysis, P.O. Box 44322, Olympia, WA 98504-4322, phone 360-902-6821, fax 360-902-4249, email Troy.Parks@Lni.wa.gov.

Additional comments: For more information on L&I rule making, visit L&I's rule-making activity web page at https://www.Lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/.