WAC 246-562-070   Criteria for the proposed practice location to be served by the physician.  (1) The proposed practice location must be located in:

     (a) A federally designated primary care health professional shortage area(s); or

     (b) A federally designated mental health professional shortage area(s) for psychiatrists; or

     (c) A federally designated whole-county medically underserved area(s); or

     (d) A combination of federally designated areas.

     (2) If the federal designation is based on a specific population, the health care facility must serve the designated population.

     (3) If the practice location is in both a population designation area and a medically underserved area, the designated population must be served.

     (4) If the practice location is not located in a federally designated shortage area or whole-county medically underserved area, the applicant must meet the criteria in WAC 246-562-075.

     (5) The health care facility named in the visa waiver application may be an existing practice location or a new practice location. If a new practice location is planned, additional criteria apply. New practice locations must:

     (a) Have the legal, financial, and organizational structure necessary to provide a stable practice environment, and must provide a business plan that supports this information;

     (b) Support a full-time physician practice;

     (c) Have written referral plans that describe how patients using the new primary care location will be connected to existing secondary and tertiary care if needed.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.185 RCW and Public Law 108-441. 06-07-035, § 246-562-070, filed 3/8/06, effective 4/8/06. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.185 RCW. 98-20-067, § 246-562-070, filed 10/2/98, effective 11/2/98.]