This bill amends the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to recognize physical and occupational therapists as attending providers for workers' compensation claims. It updates the definition of "attending provider" in RCW 51.08.200 to include licensed occupational and physical therapists, thereby broadening the range of healthcare professionals available to treat injured workers. The bill also modifies RCW 51.28.010 and RCW 51.28.020 to ensure these therapists are included in the reporting and application processes for workers' compensation, allowing them to provide essential medical documentation and support for injured workers.

Additionally, the legislation emphasizes the importance of high-quality medical treatment and the establishment of a healthcare provider network that meets minimum standards. It mandates the expansion of occupational health and education centers, aiming to reach at least fifty percent of injured workers by December 2013 and all by December 2015. The bill introduces new standards for healthcare providers, including the removal of those who do not meet quality guidelines, and requires the Department to assist injured workers in finding new providers if their current one is terminated from the network. It also removes the previous requirement for annual reporting to the workers' compensation advisory committee and the legislature regarding the provider network and occupational health centers, establishing expiration dates for certain sections of the bill.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 51.08.200, 51.28.010, 51.28.020, 51.36.010