Wash. Admin. Code § 388-447-0010 - What medical evidence do I need to provide?

You must provide medical evidence of your impairment(s) and how your impairment(s) affects your ability to perform regular and continuous work activity. Medical evidence must be in writing and be clear, objective and complete.

(1) Objective evidence for physical impairments means:

(a) Laboratory test results;

(b) Pathology reports;

(c) Radiology findings including results of X rays and diagnostic imaging scans;

(d) Clinical findings including, but not limited to, ranges of joint motion, blood pressure, temperature or pulse; and documentation of a physical examination; or

(e) Hospital history and physical reports and admission and discharge summaries; or

(f) Other medical history and physical reports related to your current impairments.

(2) Objective evidence for mental impairments means:

(a) Clinical interview observations, including objective mental status exam results and interpretation.

(b) Explanation of how examination findings meet the clinical and diagnostic criteria of the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

(c) Hospital, outpatient and other treatment records related to your current impairments.

(d) Testing results, if any, including:

(i) Description and interpretation of tests of memory, concentration, cognition or intelligence; or

(ii) Interpretation of medical tests to identify or exclude a connection between the mental impairment and physical illness.

(3) Medical evidence sufficient for an incapacity determination must be from a medical professional described in WAC 388-447-0005 and must include:

(a) A diagnosis for the impairment, or impairments, based on an examination performed within five years of application;

(b) A clear description of how the impairment relates to your ability to perform the work-related activities listed in WAC 388-447-0001; and

(c) Documentation of how the impairment, or impairments, is currently limiting your ability to work based on an examination performed within ninety days of the date of application or incapacity review.

(4) We consider documentation in addition to objective evidence to support the medical evidence provider's opinion that you are unable to perform substantial gainful employment, such as proof of hospitalization.

(5) If you can't obtain medical evidence sufficient for us to determine if you are incapacitated without cost to you, and you meet the other eligibility conditions defined in WAC 388-447-0001, we pay the costs to obtain objective evidence based on our published payment limits and fee schedules.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 388-447-0010

Adopted by WSR 13-24-044, filed 11/26/13, effective 1/1/2014