The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has released proposed language for rules regulating the certification and licensing of third-party administrators for self-insurance workers’ compensation programs. The agency plans to hold a hearing on the proposed rules in early April. The text of the proposed rules can be found here.

The proposed rules are in response to HB 2409 (2020), a bill passed in the 2020 legislative session that requires such third-party administrators (TPAs) to be certified and licensed by L&I. The proposed rules:

• Require TPAs to be certified or in the process of certification to handle Washington claims.
• Set requirements for licensing as a TPA, including having a Washington business license, meeting L&I requirements for handling claims, and meeting reporting requirements.
• Sets TPA licensing application and annual renewal requirements.
• Establishes minimum duties and performance requirements for TPAs.
• Outlines penalties and discipline (like license suspension and revocation) for specified improper conduct.

The public hearing on the rules will be online over Zoom on April 6. Written testimony on the rules will be accepted until 5:00 pm on April 6. Written testimony can be sent to Anume Orukari at Anume.Orukari@Lni.wa.gov. Final rules are expected to be adopted May 18.

Dates to remember

L&I is hosting a public hearing via Zoom on the proposed rules on April 6 at 10 am.

Meeting details

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Meeting ID: 841 5654 5645
Password: 2409Hear!

Join by phone: +1 253-215-8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 841 5654 5645
Passcode: 476551043
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