What are the requirements for authorization of medical care? Every self-insurer must:

(1) Authorize treatment and pay bills in accordance with Title 51 RCW and the medical aid rules and fee schedules of the state of Washington.

(2) Provide a written explanation of benefits (EOB) to the provider, with a copy to the worker if requested, for each bill adjustment. A written explanation is not required if the adjustment was made solely to conform to the maximum allowable fees as set by the department.

(3) Provide a written explanation to the worker and provider(s) regarding any denied bill. Bills returned to the provider because a proper bill was not submitted under WAC 296-20-125 do not require a written explanation.

(4) Establish procedures to ensure prompt responses to inquiries regarding authorization decisions and bill adjustments.

(5) Comply with the requirements of the health care provider network. This includes:

(a) Utilizing only those providers approved for the provider network, except when the provider specialty or geographic location is not yet covered by the network;

(b) Providing information to workers about the requirement for providers to be enrolled in the network in order to treat injured workers and information on how a worker can find network providers. This information must be included in publications used by self-insurers to comply with WAC 296-15-400 (2)(a);

(c) Ensuring, when applicable, that only network providers are paid for care after the initial office or emergency room visit; and

(d) Promptly assisting workers who are being treated by a nonnetwork provider to transfer their care to a network provider of their choice; including, at a minimum, notification to the worker within forty-five days of receipt of the first bill from a nonnetwork provider that the provider will not be paid for treatment beyond the initial visit on the claim and information about how to find network providers.