Governor Approves Bill Establishing IME Criteria

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a bill establishing criteria for when injured workers can be ordered to attend independent medical examinations. The governor on March 27 signed Senate Bill 6440, by Sen. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, which creates a working group to evaluate issues relating to independent exams. The bill requires a worker to submit to an exam by an independent provider selected by the state Department of Labor & Industries whenever the agency or a self-insurer deems it necessary to: Make a decision on claim allowance or reopening. Resolve a new medical is...