Our office works closely with medical providers to ensure that L&I and Third Party Administrators receive the information needed to effectively administer claims. Sometimes providing effective assistance to medical offices requires a bit of balancing on our part. This is because we don't want to interfere with medical treatment or with the patient-physician relationship. At the same time, our clients depend on our expertise to ensure that the claim administrator approves their treatment.

Background

In some cases, the claim administrator rejects the claim or denies treatment recommendations or bills. When this happens, it puts the injured worker in a difficult position. In turn, the injured worker has to protest or appeal the decision. Therefore, we try to assist providers in submitting accurate information in the appropriate format to support a favorable decision to begin with.

Medical providers are very busy. On top, completing the required paperwork takes even more time and effort, and impacts their business. As a result, knowing how to accurately and efficiently provide information to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) or Third Party Administrators benefits medical providers. To help, L&I is offering statewide workshops for health care providers and their staff to learn more about filing workers' compensation accidents reports. Also, the workshops include best practices for using ICD-10 diagnostic codes.

Who should attend - when and where

These workshops will occur between July and October all over Washington State. More specifically, they will take place in the following cities in Washington State: Vancouver, Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Tumwater, Spokane, Kelso, Aberdeen, Kennewick, Yakima, Tacoma, Tukwila, Wenatchee, Sequim, and Silverdale.

According to L&I, medical providers, medical assistants, and office managers are invited to the workshops. In addition, L&I recommends that billing and coding staff members should attend as well. More information about workshops for medical provided can be found on the L&I website at https://lni.wa.gov/for-medical-providers.