From The Chair

^{Eric Powell, DPM}

As we’ve already embarked upon calendar year 2026, there are few challenges and opportunities for podiatry professionals. The Board's professional and public members, as well as DOH partners and stakeholders, are keeping a close eye on these:

Celebration and Commitment

• Celebrating Dedication: DPM leaders and associations are recognizing the "dedication, growth, and innovation" of professionals and expressing gratitude for their commitment to advancing foot and ankle care.

• Patient Trust: Messages emphasize the trust patients place in podiatrists daily and the profession's resolve to provide the best possible preventive and therapeutic foot care. 

Advocacy and Legislative Updates (State and Federal)

• Medicare Payment Increases: Thanks to advocacy efforts by organizations like the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), podiatrists are seeing a total Medicare payment increase of more than 4% in 2026, including a 2.5% increase provided by Congress.

• Relative Value Units (RVU) Increases: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to increase the Work Relative Value Units (wRVUs) for specific podiatric procedures (codes 28750 and 28755), a direct result of recommendations made by the AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC), in which APMA participates.

• Upcoming and or Proposed State Legislation: As the 2026 Legislative Session rolls on, any potential bill(s) that may directly impact the profession will be discussed during board meetings, and those passed and signed into law whereby rulemaking may be required, will be shared on the board’s department of health, Rules-In-Progress webpage.  

The Future of the Profession

• Engaged New Generation: Some professionals may note that the younger generation of students is "incredibly engaged" and intentional about how they want to practice, bringing a high desire for excellence and empathy to patient care.

• Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Training: There are ongoing discussions within the community about the requirement for all DPMs to undergo three years of rigorous surgical training, with some leaders questioning if this single-track approach might deter potential non-surgical candidates.

• Technological Advancements: The future is seen as promising, with the integration of technologies like 3D-printed orthotics, AI-assisted diagnosis, and robotic surgeries expected to enhance patient care.

• Professional Events: Podiatry professionals may decide to attend key events like the August 6-9, 2026, APMA Annual Scientific Meeting (The National) in Nashville, TN, for networking and professional development. And don’t forget about the Federation of Podiatric Medical Board (FPMB) for even more news and events.

Apply to Serve as a Board or Public Member

If you are interested in serving on a board or commission, please complete the online application link above. You may attach your resume and any additional materials you would like considered at the bottom of the application before submitting. Appointed board members duties and responsibilities can be viewed on the department's website. 

_{*Note: Please do not email, mail or fax additional copies of your application, resume or supplementary materials to the Boards & Commissions Office.}

You may apply for a board or commission at any time, regardless of whether there is a current or upcoming vacancy, as vacancies occur periodically throughout the year. If you have any questions about completing the application, please contact Governor Ferguson's Office by email or call 360-902-4111.

_{*Note: Pursuant to the state's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), applications submitted for these appointments are public records and may be subject to public disclosure.}

Become Familiar with the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association (WSPMA)

The WSPMA is a separate and distinct professional association from the Podiatric Medical Board that provides monthly newsletters and weekly updates with information on the association, industry news, advocacy efforts, and continuing medical education (CME) opportunities to its members. 

• Member Benefits: WSPMA members enjoy access to newsletters as part of their member benefits.

• Advocacy News: The association also provides news and updates related to federal and state advocacy affecting the podiatric profession. 

WPHP Overview & Impairment Recorded Presentation

Governor’s Budget Eliminates Major Funding Source for Health Care Safety Net

Governor Ferguson’s proposed budget would pull over $100 million in funding from our state's primary care safety net clinics by making a significant change to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a key source of funding they rely on to support otherwise uncompensated patient services. Community health centers and the nearly 1.3 million people they serve are already bracing for significant coverage losses caused by passage of H.R. 1 and other federal policy changes. 

^{Read the Seattle Time's article about the impacts of the Governor's budget.} 

Safe and Effective Pain Care: A Comprehensive Guide for Opioid Prescribing in Primary Care

This course will provide health care professionals with confidence in patient pain assessment, treatment planning and ongoing pain support. Clinicians will learn to recognize signs and symptoms of opioid dependence and abuse so they can optimally manage patients’ pain and medication use and will acquire skills to taper opioids when indicated. This is a free, self-paced virtual 4-hour course provided by Pri-Med Institute.

_{Learn more here.}

DOH Launches Provider Demographic Data Collection

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the Department of Health began collecting demographic data from all health care providers. Applicants must provide race, ethnicity, gender, languages spoken, provider specialty, current practice status, and practice locations when applying for or renewing a license. DOH will use this information only in aggregate form, and individual data will not be publicly available.

_{Click here to read the full article.}

Protecting Licensed Professionals: Ongoing Scams Targeting Health Providers

Washington State’s Department of Health continues to receive reports of scams targeting licensed health care providers. Scammers often pose as Department staff, using real employee names and email addresses that closely resemble official DOH addresses.

Messages may request payment, personal information, or documents related to licensing issues, investigations, or disciplinary action. Some providers report receiving phone calls or letters that also appear to come from the Department.

Do not respond to suspicious messages or click on links or attachments. Verify communications by contacting the Office of Health Professions at (360) 236‑4700 or emailing podiatric@doh.wa.gov.

_{Click here to read the full article.}

Application Questions

One of the board’s duties, in collaboration with departmental program staff, is to decide whether a credential shall be issued or denied. At the Department of Health, credentialing processes are separated into three (3) categories: Routine applications, Non-routine applications, and Exception applications.

“Routine applications” refers to those deemed to have met all set forth credentialing requirements, are approved by credentialing staff, and do not require a board, commission, or internal staff review/approval prior to issuance.

"Non-routine" applications" usually requires a more in-depth review by internal staff to include credentialing, program and sometimes even supervising attorney staff to determine if a credential may be issued or denied. 

"Exception applications" are triggered by specific circumstances that are handled by a Case Management Team, take longer to process, and the podiatric medical board makes the final decision. 

Reasons that an application may be considered an exception include:

• Having a criminal background.
• An open case or enforcement action on another credential.
• A databank disciplinary history.
• A "yes" response to personal data questions on the application form (e.g., regarding physical or mental health conditions impacting practice).
• Not meeting all other standard credentialing requirements. 

In conclusion, it is important to note that the approval or denial of a credential must always align with the Department of Health’s established statutes or RCWs (under Title “18”), and rules or WACs (under Chapter 246-922).

Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS)

The Department of Health (DOH) new regulatory system for all licensed healthcare professionals and facilities or HELMS, brings applications and credentialing online with a modern, self-service user portal. This custom tool improves processing and provides a more secure, transparent experience for internal, and external end-users.

Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) Division, Office of Health Professions (OHP) is pleased to announce a new “self-service portal”, where licenses, certificates, and renewal notices are now fully digital. Paper certificates and renewals will no longer be mailed; instead, renewal notices will be emailed so long as licensees have a registered email with DOH. Please note, the former DOH Online Renewal and Online Application Portal have been discontinued.

Licensees can start a HELMS account by creating a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account (or logging into SAW if you already have an account). Once logged in, add the “Health Professional and Facility Licensing (HELMS)” service to your account. You will be prompted to verify your contact information. Once verified, users will be able to check the status of their application or renewal at any time.

More information is available on the DOH’s HELMS information webpage.