FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Department of Labor & Industries has adopted new 2018 codes for medical and ASC fee schedules effective January 1, 2018.  A new fee schedule update is expected in July 2018.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Washington Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals has filed notice of adoption of permanent rules to become effective January 6, 2018. The purpose of the adopted rules are to revise the board's rules of practice and procedure by amending WAC 263-12-01501, 263-12-01701, 263-12-059, 263-12-085, 263-12-090, 2663-12-115, 263-12-116, 263-12-117, and 263-12-195. Rules are being modified to meet current business needs including changes necessary for the board of industrial insurance appeals (BIIA) to transition to electronic filing and a paperless file, to reduce duplicate filings, codify the board's policy on weapons, to implement charges for copy fees, and to clarify current practice and procedure for conferences, hearings, perpetuation deposition, exhibits, and indexing of significant decisions.
• Posted notice of rulemaking regarding medical aid rules.  The purpose of this rulemaking is to update the Medical Aid Rules rates. The affected rules describe elements used in the process of updating the maximum allowable payments for most professional health care services. These elements are set in rule in order to follow the established methodologies of the Department and maintain consistency with the Health Care Authority and Medicaid Purchasing Administration. Specifically, the proposed rule changes will do the following:
  • WAC 296-20-135: Update the conversion factors used by the Department for calculating reimbursement rates for most professional health care and anesthesia services. The conversion factors will be updated to correspond to changes in the medical procedure codes, the relative value units, and anesthesia base units. These changes will enable the Department to continue a reimbursement methodology consistent with other state agencies. Cost-of-living increases may be incorporated into the changes in the conversion factors.
  • WAC 296-23-220 and 230: Update the maximum daily reimbursement level for physical and occupational therapy services so the Department may, if necessary, give cost-of-living increases to affected providers.
• Posted notice of proposed rulemaking regarding pension discount rate 2018.  The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to reduce the current pension discount rate to 6.1 percent in 2018. The pension discount rate is the interest rate used to account for the time value of money when evaluating the present value of future pension payments. Currently, WAC 296-14-8810 sets the pension discount rate at 6.2 percent. The Department has worked with the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee (WCAC) to develop a plan for reducing the pension discount rate annually, through 2022, until it reaches 4.5 percent. A public hearing will be held on January 23, 2018 with comments being due no later than January 24, 2018,

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announces changes to the Outpatient Drug Formulary effective July 1, 2020.  The changes are available for review in the online Outpatient Drug Formulary PDF document located at https://lni.wa.gov/patient-care/treating-patients/drugs-and-prescriptions/. Summary of changes:  Added the following new drug classes: M4V, M4W, U5M; B6Z: olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat) is now preferred; H2H and H7J: coverage status changed to now require prior authorization; and Q6P: difluprednate added to formulary.
• Labor & Industries (L&I) temporary telehealth payment policies will extend through June 30, 2021. The original expiration of July 3, 2020 has been extended until next year. We are continuously evaluating the effectiveness of these policies in helping injured workers heal and return to work. In the event L&I determines it is appropriate to either end or extend these policies, it will notify the public.
• The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) developed the COVID-19 temporary interpreter services policy to ensure meaningful access to interpreter services to support the safety and health of our clients during the pandemic. This policy allows in-person interpreters the option of providing video or telephone interpretation. The original COVID-19 Temporary Policy expiration of July 3, 2020 has been extended until June 30, 2021.  The updated COVID-19 temporary Interpreter Services via Video or Telephone policy is available on the Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules Updates and Corrections webpage. We are continuously evaluating the effectiveness of these policies to help injured workers heal and return to work. In the event L&I determines it is appropriate to either end or extend these policies, we will send an advanced notice through this messaging service. Questions on the payment policies? Contact us at HPPM@lni.wa.gov.
• L&I's Provider Application process is changing: The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is aligning procedures with those set by the Office of Financial Management (OFM).  Effective 7/4/20 the Office of Financial Management (OFM), who maintains and processes vendor payments for all participating state agencies, now requires providers/vendors to submit their Statewide Payee Registration forms directly to OFM. L&I will no longer be accepting or forwarding the Statewide Payee Registration forms. Also, the L&I provider/vendor application packets and forms are currently being updated. To learn more about these critical changes, visit:  Lni.wa.gov/patient-care/provider-accounts/changes-to-your-account/.  Questions regarding the provider application process? Contact us at: PACMail@Lni.wa.gov

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will continue to use the fees listed in the 2019 fee schedule through September 2020. Changes to the fee schedule and payment policies will be effective October 1, 2020. L&I normally announces changes to the fee schedule and payment policies in June of each year. We shifted the dates in 2020 so we can put added focus on our coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
• Labor & Industries (L&I) is temporarily allowing independent medical examiners to deliver exams via telehealth using a real-time audio and video connection. The temporary record review and Independent Medical Exam (IME) payment policy is now available on the Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules (MARFS) Updates and Corrections website. You can also find updated COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for healthcare providers on our website. This temporary IME payment policy helps slow the spread of the coronavirus by allowing the use of the worker's home as an origination site when they are scheduled for an IME. The IME provider must determine telehealth is the most appropriate option for the exam, and the use of telehealth must be agreed to by all parties. Here are some additional details about this temporary policy change:  L&I will not provide the worker with or reimburse the worker for equipment. If a worker does not have access to high-speed internet via computer or a camera phone with reliable connectivity, the provider must work with the worker to identify an alternative. Use the Place of service –02 modifier when submitting bills. This indicates the worker’s home was the origination site for telehealth services. Do not use the –GT modifier when billing for telehealth.  Questions about the payment policy? Contact us at HPPM@lni.wa.gov.

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• House Bill 2409The enacted legislation is directed to self-insured employers and their third-party administrators. Self-insured employers' options for claims administration are specified.  The Department must license TPAs, establish certification for all claim’s administrators, and issue related rules.
• Penalties. Employer penalties are increased to be a maximum of: the greater of $1,000 or 25 percent of the amount due, for a self-insurer who unreasonably delays or refuses to pay benefits; the greater of $1,000 or double the amount of premiums incurred, for failure to pay premiums; $1,000 for failure to comply with a statutory provision or Department rule; and $500 for various recordkeeping and reporting violations, including a physician's or licensed advanced registered nurse practitioner's  failure to file a required treatment report. The assessment of penalties for a self-insurer's failure-to-pay is specified to be per act and requires the Department to weigh certain factors.  The Department may waive first-time or de minimums violations of recordkeeping and reporting provisions. All penalties must be adjusted every three years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. Effective Date September 1, 2020.
• House Bill 2758This legislation recognizes posttraumatic stress disorders of 911 emergency dispatch personnel. The rule excluding claims based on mental conditions or mental disabilities caused by stress does not apply to PTSD claims of public safety telecommunicators who receive calls for assistance and dispatch emergency services.  For public safety telecommunicators hired after the effective date of the act, the exemption applies only if the individual submitted to a psychological exam that ruled out the presence of PTSD from preemployment exposures.  If the employer does not provide the exam, the exemption applies.  "Public safety telecommunicators" are individuals who receive and respond to telephone or other electronic requests for emergency assistance and dispatch appropriate emergency responders. Effective Date June 1, 2020.
• Senate Bill 6440The enacted legislation concerns industrial insurance medical examinations.  A worker must submit to an examination by a physician selected by L&I (IME) whenever L&I or the self-insurer deems it necessary to:  (1) make a decision on claim allowance or reopening, (2) resolve a new medical issue, an appeal, or case progress, or (3) evaluate the worker's permanent disability or work restriction.  A new medical issue means a medical issue not covered by a previous medical examination requested by L&I or the self-insurer such as an issue regarding medical causation, medical treatment, work restrictions, or evaluating permanent partial disability. L&I may not assess a no-show fee against the worker if the worker gives at least five business days' notice of the worker's intent not to attend the IME.  The exam must be at a place reasonably convenient to the injured worker, which means at a place where residents in the injured worker's community would normally travel to seek medical care for the same specialty as the examiner, or use telemedicine if L&I determines telemedicine is appropriate for the IME.  L&I must address in rule how to accommodate the worker if no approved medical examiner in the specialty needed is available in that community.  L&I must adopt rules, policies, and processes governing the use of telemedicine for IMEs.  It may include a pilot project.  Consideration should be given to all available research regarding the use of telemedicine for IMEs. Any IME report must also be given to the worker and the attending physician, in addition to the person ordering the report. Examination means a physical or mental examination by a medical care provider licensed to practice medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic, dentistry, or psychiatry at the request of L&I, the self-insurer, or by order of the board of industrial insurance appeals. Work Group. An IME work group is established with members as follows: two members from the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives from each of the two largest caucuses; two members from the Senate, one appointed by the president of the Senate from each of the two largest caucuses; one business representative representing employers participating in the state fund; one business representative representing employers who are self-insurers; two labor representatives; a representative of an association representing both physicians who perform IMEs and panel companies; and one attorney who represents injured workers. The representatives are appointed by L&I. The work group must develop strategies for reducing the number of medical examinations per claim while considering claim duration and medical complexity and for improving access to medical records, including records and reports created during or pursuant to the IME; consider whether L&I should do all the IME scheduling, the circumstances for which examiners should be randomly selected or specified, and worker's rights, including attendance, specialist consultants, recordings, distance and location of exams; recommend changes to improve the efficiency of the IME process; and identify barriers to increasing the supply of in-state IME physicians. L&I must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 31, 2020. Effective June 11, 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Labor & Industries (L&I) is temporarily allowing in-person interpreters the option of providing video or telephone interpretation. The temporary Interpreter Services via Video or Telephone policy is now available on the Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules Updates and Corrections webpage. The temporary policy expires July 3, 2020 unless L&I determines an extension is required. This temporary policy change helps slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak by allowing in-person interpreters the option of providing video or telephone interpretation when appropriate. It is supplemental to Chapter 14: Interpreter Services. L&I’s Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules Updates and Corrections webpage is updated periodically and includes all of our temporary payment policies related to COVID-19.
• Labor & Industries (L&I) has several updates to the temporary telehealth payment policies. The temporary services using telehealth payment policies are available on the Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules (MARFS) Updates and Corrections The temporary policies help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak by allowing services to occur virtually, when appropriate. These policies let workers use their home as the origination site if the provider determines telehealth is the most appropriate option for the worker. See our Temporary Telehealth Payment Policy for additional details.  These policies are considered supplementary and don’t replace Chapter 10: Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services or any other policies noted in the Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules (MARFS).
  • Initial evaluations
    • A temporary telehealth policy allowing new patient initial evaluations and Report of Accident filings will be published shortly.
    • These temporary policies will allow initial evaluations to occur using telehealth. Updated policies will be posted soon:

• • • • Temporary Telehealth,
      • Temporary TeleSIMP,
      • Temporary Telerehab,
      • Temporary Telerehab Work Hardening.

• New temporary policies

• • • Activity Prescription Forms (APFs) may temporarily be performed using telehealth. A detailed policy will be published soon.
    • Independent Medical Exams (IME) may temporarily be performed using telehealth. A detailed policy will be published soon that also captures the process for IME record reviews.
    • The Temporary TeleBrainRehab payment policy is now available. An update allowing initial evaluations will be published soon.

• Updates

• • • Temporary Interpretive Services via Video or Telephone. This policy now includes pricing and time parameters for interpreters.

• Additional details about temporary policies

• • • L&I will not provide the worker with or reimburse the worker for equipment. If a worker does not have access to high-speed internet with a computer or a camera phone with reliable connectivity, the provider must work with the worker to identify an alternative.
    • Use the Place of service 02 modifier when submitting bills when the worker’s home is the origination site for telehealth services.
      • Do not use the –GT modifier when billing for telehealth services.
      • Do not use HCPCS Code Q3014 if the worker’s home was the origination site for telehealth services.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has adopted changes to the Medical Fee Schedule with an effective date of April 1, 2020.  The next update is scheduled for July 1, 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announces changes to our Outpatient Drug Formulary effective April 1, 2020.  The changes are available for review in our online Outpatient Drug Formulary PDF document. Posted a preproposal statement regarding rule Chapter 296-17 WAC.  Chapter 296-17 WAC, General Reporting Rules, Audit and Record-keeping, Rates and Rating System for Washington Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and Chapter 296-17A WAC, Classifications for Washington Workers’ Compensation Insurance.  To view the preproposal, go to https://lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/.
• Posted notice regarding proposed rule Chapter 296-20 WAC, Medical aid rules (WAC 296-20-135, Conversion factors); Chapter 296-23 WAC, Radiology, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, pathology, hospital, chiropractic, physical therapy, drug-less therapeutics, and nursing—Drug-less therapeutics, etc. (WAC 296-23-220, Physical therapy rules; WAC 296-23-230, Occupational therapy rules). To view the proposed rule notice and rule language, go to https://lni.wa.gov/rulemaking-activity/. Physical and Occupational Therapist Progress Report Form: A new progress report form for workers covered under the state workers’ compensation fund and the best practices quick reference card are now available from L&I. They are intended for:
• Use by physical and occupational therapists and Standard outpatient therapy services.
• The use of the progress report form is currently voluntary, but it will transition into a required form in the summer of 2020.
• The benefits of the form include: Using a standardized format and Promoting best practices. Those practices include:
  • Communicating with the attending provider and others involved in the claim;
  • Patient engagement and
  • Tracking functional outcomes and documentation.
• If you would like to learn more, visit our Physical Medicine project web page. For additional information, you can contact the project team at therapy@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-9115. A detailed temporary telehealth policy from Labor and Industries (L&I) became effective March 9, 2020. To help support containment of the COVID-19 outbreak this new temporary telehealth policy allows medical providers to use the home as an origination site in some instances to treat injured workers. L&I's current payment policy and fee schedule already cover phone calls between providers and workers, and telehealth when provided at a medical origination site. The new temporary policy will stipulate the following: In addition to providing telehealth services under the current payment policy, providers who can normally provide telehealth services using video remote technologies may now bill the following CPT© evaluation and management codes with the home as an origination site:
  •         99211
  •        99212
  •         99213
• The documentation requirements will follow the Department payment policy established in Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules (MARFS) Chapter 10: Evaluation and Management Services. Under this temporary measure, providers will be required to include a note about the emergency situation (limiting exposure to COVID-19, in this case) that prompted this encounter, as well as noting that the originating site of the worker is home. Providers are encouraged to implement their clinic’s emergency response plan. Visit the MARFS Updates and Corrections website for the detailed policy.  On July 3, 2020, the temporary L&I emergency telehealth policy is scheduled to end unless the Department decides an extension is needed. This is an emerging situation, and this policy may be updated as needed. Additionally, the temporary policy will state that L&I will not provide the worker with or reimburse the worker for equipment. If a worker doesn’t have access to high-speed internet via a computer or a camera phone with reliable connectivity, the provider must work with the worker to identify an alternative. Claims Administration has decided to instruct claim managers not to automatically stop time loss benefits if the restrictions on an APF expire because the worker was unable to be seen in person due to COVID-19 precautions. Claim managers will be advised to assess each case and staff with their supervisor and/or ONC to decide how best to manage the claim during the period of the forthcoming temporary policy.  Questions on the payment policy after it's published? Contact us at HPPM@Lni.wa.gov The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has posted Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) code updates, including the codes needed for coronavirus testing. Deleted HCPCS codes are also posted to our Updates and Corrections web page.  The new HCPCS codes are effective on April 1. Deleted codes are no longer effective March 31. Both coronavirus testing codes are billable for dates of service on or after Feb. 4,  2020.  Questions? Send them to HPPM@lni.wa.gov. L&I regional offices are closed to public visits until further notice. Offices can still help you by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (except state holidays). Use the phone number for your closest regional office, or you can call the Office of Information and Assistance at 360-902-5800. Effective March 25, 2020, Labor and Industries (L&I) is temporarily allowing Structured Intensive Multidisciplinary Program (SIMP) services to be delivered as part of telehealth. This is part of L&I’s Chronic Pain Management payment policy. This temporary TeleSIMP policy allows SIMP services to continue while helping to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak by reducing in-person appointments. SIMP providers may use telehealth to deliver certain services for workers enrolled in their program. This policy isn’t intended to replace Chapter 34: Chronic Pain Management. Effective March 20, 2020, L&I is also temporarily allowing the delivery of rehabilitation services using telehealth, called tele-rehab. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists may use telehealth to deliver services for established patients in outpatient settings. L&I's current payment policy and fee schedule already covers phone calls between providers and workers, see Chapter 10: Evaluation and Management Services for more details. Both of these temporary policies will allow the use of the worker's home as an origination site when they are receiving services. See our Temporary Telehealth Payment Policy for additional details. Updates and corrections are periodically posted on our Medical Aid Rules and Fee Schedules website. Both of these policies are available here. Please note: a temporary telehealth policy is under consideration for brain injury rehabilitation services. Questions on the payment policies? Contact us at HPPM@lni.wa.gov.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The office of Insurance Commissioner posted notice that the office is considering amending WAC 284-33-030 to increase the allowable amount for risk reduction goods and services. The Commissioner is considering raising the allowable amount an insurer can provide its insured over a 12-month aggregate period for risk mitigation goods and services to further encourage insurance companies assist their insureds in reducing claim frequency and severity.  Comments must be submitted by March 6, 2020.  To view the notice, go to https://www.insurance.wa.gov/increasing-allowable-amount-risk-reduction-goods-and-services-r-2020-01?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=.

FEE SCHEDULE NEWS:

•  The Department of Labor & Industries has adopted new 2020 codes for the medical and ASC fee schedules effective January 1, 2020. The next fee schedule update is expected in July 2020.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

•  The physical medicine project is developing best practices for occupational therapists and physical therapists to encourage early use of active care with a focus on function. L&I’s staff — which included a physical therapist, occupational therapist and chiropractor — was put to this task. Very early on, a therapy stakeholder group made up of clinics both large and small, as well as representatives of the state therapy professional organizations was created. Together, they produced a preliminary set of best practices for therapy providers and a standardized progress report form. The new progress report form is in its final testing and scheduled to become available by January 2020 and Development of a work rehabilitation guideline by our Advisory committees in partnership with state therapy associations. If you’d like to learn more, visit our Physical Medicine project web page at https://lni.wa.gov/patient-care/health-care-incentive-programs/physical-medicine-best-practices-project?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery .  

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Published a coverage decision for diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulation, aka diaphragm pacing, involves electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves at the level of the neck/thorax or at the level of the diaphragm to cause contraction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm movement creates negative pressure and pulls air into the lungs as in normal breathing. Diaphragmatic pacing can be used in patients with ventilatory failure due to severe weakness or paralysis of the diaphragm as a means to eliminate or reduce the need for ventilatory support. overage decision: Covered with conditions (Effective date: December 1, 2019).  Authorization is requirements.  For additional information, go to https://lni.wa.gov/patient-care/treating-patients/conditions-and-treatments/?query=Diaphragmatic%2Fphrenic+Nerve+Stimulation+%28Diaphragm+pacing%29.
• Adopted rule 296-19A regarding vocational rehabilitation.  This rule adoption supports L&I’s vocational recovery effort by: ensuring expectations of vocational providers are better aligned with the return-to-work language in RCW 51.32.095; addressing certain requirements for vocational firms; and outlining when and to what degree vocational providers may be subject to corrective action or sanctions. The changes were adopted 10/22/2019 and will be effective on 1/1/2020.  To view the rule, go http://www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/WhatsNew/Proposed/default.asp?RuleID=267.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has issued an update to its coverage decision on Proton Beam Therapy (Re-review). Based on a Health Technology Clinical Committee coverage determination finalized on July 12, 2019, the department's new decision covers proton beam therapy for additional types of primary cancer and is effective on October 1, 2019. Proton beams have less scatter radiation than other sources of energy (e.g., gamma rays and x-rays). Because of this feature, proton beam can deliver high doses of radiation to the tumor while limiting the “scatter” dose received by surrounding tissues. Proton beam therapy is used to treat tumors located deep within the body and close to critical organs and body structures. Coverage decision: Covered with conditions (Effective date: October 1, 2019).  To view the coverage decision, go to http://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Providers/TreatingPatients/ByCondition/ProtonBeamTherapy.asp?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announces changes to the Outpatient Drug Formulary and Selected Preferred Drug List effective October 1, 2019.  The changes are available for review in the online Outpatient Drug Formulary and Selected Preferred Drug List PDF documents. Summary of changes: new drug classes added: A6W, C4X, C4Y, H1D, H8V, J8E, V10, Z0K.  To view additional information on the Outpatient Drug Formulary and Selected Preferred Drug List, go to https://www.lni.wa.gov/ClaimsIns/Providers/TreatingPatients/Presc/default.asp.

REGULATORY ACTIVITY:

• Posted notice in the state register notice of rule adoption. Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing. Purpose: The purpose is to amend WAC 296-14-400 Re-openings for benefits, as a result of the State of Washington court of appeals decision Ronald V. Ma'ae v. State of WA Dept of Labor And Industries, 2019 WL 1492822 that found the department cannot prohibit non-MPN providers from submitting reopening applications. This rule amendment allows the department to be in compliance with the Ma'ae decision and is effective upon filing per RCW 05.380 (3) (a). Date Adopted: July 23, 2019. To view the notice and rule, go to http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2019/15/19-15-121.htm.
• Posted notice of possible rule making regarding the evaluation of actual losses (occupational disease date of injure for experience rating Chapter 296-17 WAC.  To view this notice, go to http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/law/wsr/2019/15/19-15-122.htm.
• The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is taking the next step in preventing unnecessary work disability by proposing new administrative rules that support vocational recovery. The new rules would mean vocational recovery services are the first provided by private-sector vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) in most State Fund cases. The intent is to better align the rules with the state law that places a high priority on returning a worker to employment. L&I’s proposed rules establish certain expectations for vocational firms and clarify when VRCs and vocational firms may be subject to corrective actions or sanctions. The draft rules also spell out what those sanctions include.  Vocational services are a critical part of helping our state’s injured workers heal and return to work. In recent years, L&I has made significant improvements to reduce process delays so that vocational providers can more effectively engage injured workers, employers, and medical providers before long-term disability sets in. Results include higher return-to-work rates and reduced costs.  The rulemaking process includes opportunities for the public to provide input, in writing or at a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Oct. 2 at the Department of Labor and Industries in Tumwater. Input on the proposed rules will also be accepted by email, mail, or fax through 6 p.m. on Oct. 4. L&I will consider all input before preparing the final rules this fall. The proposed rules are available for review on L&I’s website for rule development. Submit input: Email: Grytness@Lni.wa.gov, Fax: 360-902-6706, Mail: Laurinda Grytness, Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 44329, Olympia WA 98504-4329.  To view the hearing notice and proposed rule, go to http://www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/WhatsNew/Proposed/default.asp?RuleID=267&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
• This rulemaking adopts a new rule, WAC 296-15-232, which creates standardized medical bill reporting expectations for self-insured employers, to support the collection of quality data, and to create a reporting exemption for qualifying employers. This rulemaking ensures: self-insured employers are required to report medical bills through the medical bill electronic data interchange (EDI); self-insured employers are required to report bills accurately and timely; and under limited circumstances, self-insured employers can be provided an exception, which means that they are exempt from reporting. Standardized reporting will build data integrity, improve industry bench marking, and inform and support policy conversations and decisions. The changes were adopted 8/20/2019 and will be effective on 1/1/2020.To view the adoption order and the adopted rule, go to http://www.lni.wa.gov/LawRule/WhatsNew/Proposed/default.asp?RuleID=263.