Temporary IME Payment Policy & COVID-19 Information for Providers

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin at 05/12/2020 10:50 AM PDT

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washington state department of labor and industries - claims and insurance

Temporary Telehealth IME Payment Policy

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 doesn’t 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.