Effective July 1: Psychologists as Attending Physicians

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries sent this bulletin at 06/25/2025 11:44 AM PDT

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Self-Insurance

Effective July 1: Psychologists as Attending Physicians

A new law allowing psychologists to serve as attending provider, in certain cases, takes effect July 1.

House Bill 1197, passed during the 2023 legislative session, updates Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 51.28.020. It allows psychologists to serve as attending provider (AP) for workers compensation cases with solely mental health conditions.

Some important changes that go into effect:

  • Psychologists currently providing care must join L&I’s Medical Provider Network (MPN) in order to continue treating workers as they do today.
  • Psychologists treating workers with physical injuries must also join the MPN to continue delivering care after June 30, 2025.
  • Psychologists who do not join the L&I MPN will be limited to performing initial visits on solely mental health cases. Psychologists will not be able to conduct an initial visit if any physical conditions are contended.
  • Psychologists can be an attending provider on solely mental health workers compensation cases.

Additional information can be found on the L&I website.

Questions? SITrainerQuestions@Lni.wa.gov