New L&I Medical Network Changes Health Care for Washington's Injured Workers

Tumwater, WA (WorkersCompensation.com) - The Department of Labor & Industries has established its first-ever medical provider network to deliver health care to injured workers in Washington state. Effective January 1, workers who suffer a job-related injury or illness can see any provider for their first visit to a doctor's office or an emergency room, but for ongoing treatment they must get care from a doctor in the network.

“The network's launch is the culmination of many months' work, and is an historic change for our system. The new network will help Washington's injured workers get high-quality care so they can quickly return to good health and their jobs,” said Vickie Kennedy, L&I's chief policy advisor.

Workers can search for providers at www.FindADoc.Lni.wa.gov, a directory that includes over 9,300 network providers and is updated daily. L&I will help injured workers covered by the state workers' compensation plan find a new medical provider if their doctor is not in the network and they are unable to find a new one. Workers whose claims are managed by their self-insured employers should contact the company or its third-party administrator directly.

Medical providers who are not in the network won't be paid for treating injured workers, except for the initial office or emergency room visit when a claim is filed. Providers who applied by December 31, 2012, can continue to treat injured workers while L&I reviews their applications. All providers who meet network requirements will be accepted. Providers are still encouraged to apply at www.JointheNetwork.Lni.wa.gov.

Those providers required to be in the network to deliver ongoing treatment include physicians (medical and osteopathic), chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, doctors of podiatry, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists and optometrists.

Workers can continue to see out-of-state providers and other provider types not on this list, until those practices are asked to join the network.

The medical provider network is part of the historic 2011 workers' compensation reforms designed to improve outcomes for injured workers, reduce disability and cut costs for the state's workers' compensation program.

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