# WA IME Program Guide | Medrecords AI

> Washington's IME program is governed by the L&I Medical Examiners' Handbook, which specifies required report content, work-relatedness analysis, and physical-capacity estimates.

Canonical page: https://medrecords.ai/ime-hub/states/wa/

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## Program overview

The Medical Examiners' Handbook (F252-001-000, 07-2024) defines required IME report content, sample reports, work-relatedness assessment for occupational disease, and the doctor's estimate of physical capacities.

## Report requirements

WAC 296-23-382 requires IME reports to contain objective, sound, and sufficient medical information; document the claim documents reviewed; and record the worker's history and clinical findings.

## Key facts

- **Program:** IME
- **Agency:** Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- **Statute / rules:** WAC 296-23-382 (IME report content)
- **AMA Guides edition:** AMA Guides (edition per L&I — verify current)
- **Edition basis:** L&I Medical Examiners' Handbook
- **MMI rules:** Detailed in the Medical Examiners' Handbook; report content per WAC 296-23-382
- **Key forms:** IME report templates in the Medical Examiners' Handbook
- **Fee schedule:** L&I fee schedule; MARFS Chapter 24 covers telehealth IME policy
- **Telehealth:** MARFS (2025) lists which IME-related services may be covered via telehealth; most IMEs remain in person

## Sources

- [WA Medical Examiners' Handbook](https://www.selfinsured.wa.gov/forms-publications/F252-001-000.pdf)
- [WAC 296-23-382](https://lawfilestestext.leg.wa.gov/LawTest/WAC/WAC%20296%20%20TITLE/WAC%20296%20-%2023%20%20CHAPTER/WAC%20296%20-%2023%20-382.htm)
- [L&I MARFS Chapter 24 (telehealth)](https://www.lni.wa.gov/patient-care/billing-payments/marfsdocs/2025/2025MARFSChapter24.pdf)

Last verified: 2026-08-15