All workers in the state of Washington are considered covered under workers’ compensation unless they meet the rules for exemption.

Healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, are generally considered covered workers because they don’t meet workers’ comp exemption requirements for independent contractors. Most medical providers must cover and report hours their physicians, nurses, and staff for workers’ compensation.

Even if you have a business license and are working as an independent contractor you may be a covered worker under the medical facilities’ policy.

Owning a business, or having an open account with DOR; is not enough to exempt you from workers’ compensation. You must meet the independent contractor rules for exemption from workers’ compensation to be considered exempt. This means meeting the criteria outlined in the Personal Labor or 6-Part Test .

Covering yourself for workers’ compensation; doesn’t affect your coverage with the medical facility you are contracted with. They are required to cover you for workers’ compensation unless you meet the rules outlined in the Personal Labor or 6-Part Test .

Paying you with an IRS 1099 tax form; is not enough to exempt you from workers’ compensation. You can be considered an independent contractor for every other state and federal agency and be a covered worker for workers’ compensation. You must meeting to criteria outlined in the Personal Labor or 6-Part Test to be considered exempt.

All workers’ in the state of Washington are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim in the event of an on-the-job injury. If you are a covered worker regardless of if your employer has correctly classified your work, you are entitled to claim benefits. Your employer cannot prevent you or discriminate against you for filing a claim.

Your employer may not discriminate or retaliate against you for:

• Filing a claim.
• Saying that you plan to file a claim.
• Seeking workers' compensation benefits.

If your employer has discouraged you from filing a claim, you may file a Workers’ Compensation Claims Suppression Complaint Form (F262‑024‑000). Or contact 1-866-324-3310.

Most healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, are considered covered workers under workers’ compensation rules for Washington. Paying a worker using an IRS 1099 tax form or your worker having a business license isn’t enough to exempt them from coverage.

All workers in the state of Washington are covered workers unless they meet the criteria for exemption outlined in the Personal Labor or 6-Part Test

Medical care facilities are required to cover and report all covered workers for workers’ compensation. If you are contracting with a medical placement or staffing service for your contracted healthcare professionals and are unsure if you are required to provide coverage, please contact us.

What do you need to do?

• If you have an active account with L&I and are already reporting and paying premium for healthcare professionals, no action is required.
• If you do not currently have any contracted healthcare professionals working for your firm, no action is required.
• If you already have an active account with L&I, but you’re not reporting your healthcare professionals, contact your Account Manger 360-902-4817 to add risk class 6109-00 to your account if it is not currently on your account and receive instructions on how to amend previous quarters if necessary.
• If you contract with healthcare professionals and don’t have an active L&I account, update your business license at www.dor.wa.gov to indicate you are hiring employees.
  • This won’t impact your treatment of healthcare professionals as independent contractors for all other purposes.
  • Your account manager will call you with reporting instructions. Begin reporting all healthcare professionals hours worked each quarter.

Most healthcare professionals, including physicians and nurses, are considered covered workers under workers’ compensation rules for Washington. Paying a worker using an IRS 1099 tax form or your worker having a business license isn’t enough to exempt them from coverage.

All workers in the state of Washington are covered workers unless they meet the criteria for exemption outlined in the Personal Labor or 6-Part Test

Anyone employing or contracting with healthcare professionals is required to cover and report all covered workers for workers’ compensation. If you are contracting with a medical care facility for contracted healthcare professionals and are unsure if you are required to provide coverage, please contact us.

What do you need to do?

• If you have an active account with L&I and are already reporting and paying premium for healthcare professionals, no action is required.
• If you do not currently have any contracted healthcare professionals working for your firm, no action is required.
• If you already have an active account with L&I, but you’re not reporting your healthcare professionals, contact your Account Manger 360-902-4817 to add risk class 6109-00 to your account if it is not currently on your account.
• If you contract with healthcare professionals and don’t have an active L&I account update your business license at www.dor.wa.gov to indicate you are hiring employees.
  • This won’t impact your treatment of healthcare professionals as independent contractors for other purposes.
  • Your account manager will call you with reporting instructions. Begin reporting all healthcare professionals hours worked each quarter.