The Department of Health requires that healthcare practitioners who commit unprofessional conduct or who are unable to practice safely self- report to the Department. The mandatory reporting rules are found in WAC 246-16. The mandatory reporting rules are intended to address patient safety and require self-reporting of any conviction which includes a plea of guilty or nolo contendere. You must also report a determination or finding if you have committed unprofessional conduct; or if you are unable to practice safely due to a mental or physical condition. This includes having a court declare you incompetent or mentally ill; or not successfully managing a mental of physical condition that poses a risk to patient safety. Finally, you must report any or is disqualification from participation in the federal Medicare or Medicaid program.If you have questions about whether you must file a report, you should speak with a knowledgeable practitioner you can help you understand and navigate the process within the Department of Health.
These blog posts are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws may have changed since the date of publication.
