(1) The
joint legislative audit and review committee, in consultation
with the department of labor and industries and the workers'
compensation advisory committee, shall conduct a performance
audit of the workers' compensation claims management system,
including self-insured claims. The joint legislative audit and
review committee may contract with an independent expert in
workers' compensation claims management to assist with the audit.
(2) The audit shall:
(a) Evaluate the extent to which the department: (i) Makes
fair and timely decisions, and resolves complaints and disputes
in a timely, fair, and effective manner; and (ii) communicates
with employers and workers in a timely, responsive, and accurate
manner, including communication about review and appeal rights,
and including the use of plain language and sufficient
opportunities for face-to-face meetings;
(b) Determine if current claims management organization and
service delivery models are the most efficient available; analyze
organization and delivery for retrospective rating plan
participants as compared to nonparticipants to identify
differences and how those differences influence retrospective
rating plan refunds; and determine whether current initiatives
improve service delivery, meet the needs of current and future
workers and employers, improve public education and outreach, and
are otherwise measurable; and
(c) Make recommendations regarding administrative changes
that should be made to improve efficiency while maintaining high
levels of quality service to help address system costs, and any
needed legislative changes to implement the recommendations.
(3) The joint legislative audit and review committee shall
submit progress reports by December 1, 2012, and December 1,
2013, and the results of the audit by June 30, 2015, to the
appropriate committees of the legislature.
(4) This section expires December 31, 2015.
[2011 1st sp.s. c 37 § 801.]
NOTES:
Finding -- Effective date -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 37: See notes following RCW 51.32.090.