Positive home tests for COVID-19

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin at 12/01/2022 04:13 PM PST

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washington state department of labor and industries - claims and insurance

Self-Insurance

Are COVID-19 claims allowed based on positive home test results?

Some workers have contacted self-insurance with this question. The workers reported positive home test results for COVID-19 to their employers, and were not informed that they needed a COVID-19 diagnosis from a medical provider or a positive test administered by a medical facility, testing facility, or pharmacy, to have an allowed claim.

Failure to notify workers of the claim requirements has led some workers to believe that they did not need to seek treatment, and may appear as though their employers have accepted the home test as valid.

WAC 296-15-320 requires self-insurers to assist workers in reporting and filing claims. When a worker reports they have a positive home test for COVID-19 and would like to file a claim, the employer or third party representative (TPA) should:

  • Verify the home test, meaning the employer agrees to accept the test as valid; or
  • Immediately notify the worker in writing that they need to seek treatment from a medical provider or be tested by a medical facility, testing facility, or pharmacy.

If you have questions, email the self-insurance training team at: SITrainerQuestions@lni.wa.gov