Bill > HB2218

This bill aims to improve access to medical care within the workers' compensation system by establishing a health care provider network and setting standards for providers. It clarifies that network providers must follow the department's evidence-based treatment guidelines and other appropriate national guidelines when medically appropriate, and introduces a "second tier" within the network for providers demonstrating exceptional use of occupational health best practices. The bill also modifies rules regarding injured workers' choice of providers, allowing initial visits to non-network providers and outlining conditions under which workers can seek treatment from non-network providers if network providers are unavailable within a certain distance, with specific mileage limits based on county population. Additionally, it mandates that utilization reviews for treatment must be completed within 10 business days, or the treatment is authorized, and clarifies the duration of treatment for various disability types, including provisions for continued treatment for pain management and monitoring for cancer diagnoses. The bill also authorizes the hiring of additional claims managers to reduce caseloads and implement more frequent case reviews, and specifies that these changes apply to all claims regardless of when the injury occurred. Some sections of the bill have specific effective and expiration dates, indicating a phased implementation.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2218&Year=2025&Initiative=false