Washington DPC Guide¶
Quick Summary: Washington has DPC-enabling legislation (RCW 48.150) and permits physician medication dispensing with registration. Active DPC community in Seattle metro with rural opportunities statewide.
[!CAUTION] Verify Current Law: Always confirm current regulations with the Washington Medical Commission and review RCW 48.150 for the most current statutory language.
At a Glance¶
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| DPC Legislation | Yes — RCW 48.150 |
| Medication Dispensing | Permitted — Registration required |
| Medicare Opt-Out | Standard federal process |
| Tier | 2 (Moderate) |
DPC Law Status¶
Legislation¶
Statute: Revised Code of Washington Chapter 48.150
Statute URL: RCW 48.150
Washington was among the first states with DPC-enabling legislation.
Key provisions: - DPC agreements not considered insurance - Primary care services defined - Written agreement required - Consumer disclosure requirements
What This Means¶
- DPC practices operate outside insurance regulatory framework
- Legal clarity for membership model
- Standard business regulations apply
Medication Dispensing¶
Regulatory Status¶
Washington permits physician dispensing with registration.
Requirements¶
- DEA Registration: Required for controlled substances
- State Registration: Register with Washington State Department of Health
- Pharmacy Commission: doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-702/pharmacies
- PMP Requirement: Check Washington Prescription Monitoring Program
- Record Keeping: Maintain dispensing records
Licensing and Registration¶
Medical License¶
Board: Washington Medical Commission
Website: wmc.wa.gov
Business Registration¶
Entity Registration: Washington Secretary of State
Website: sos.wa.gov
DEA Registration¶
Website: deadiversion.usdoj.gov
Medicare Considerations¶
MAC for Washington: Noridian Healthcare Solutions (JF jurisdiction)
See Medicare Opt-Out Guide for detailed process.
Key Resources¶
State Agencies¶
| Agency | Purpose | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Medical Commission | Physician licensing | wmc.wa.gov |
| Washington Department of Health | Dispensing regulations | doh.wa.gov |
| Washington Secretary of State | Business registration | sos.wa.gov |
Professional Organizations¶
| Organization | Website |
|---|---|
| Washington State Medical Association | wsma.org |
State-Specific Considerations¶
Seattle Metro¶
- Active DPC community
- Tech-savvy population
- Higher cost of living
- Competitive market
No State Income Tax¶
- Washington has no state personal income tax
- Improves take-home income
Eastern Washington¶
- Primary care shortage
- Lower cost of living
- Rural opportunities
- Telehealth valuable
Tech Industry¶
- Large tech employers
- Employer-sponsored DPC opportunities
- Health-conscious workforce
Checklist for Starting DPC in Washington¶
- Obtain or verify Washington medical license
- Register business entity with Secretary of State
- Obtain EIN from IRS
- Register with DEA (if prescribing controlled substances)
- Register for dispensing with Department of Health (if dispensing)
- Secure malpractice insurance
- Develop membership agreement
- File Medicare opt-out affidavit (if applicable)