WPHP is an independent nonprofit that helps Washington healthcare professionals address health conditions that may affect safe practice. WPHP provides confidential assessment, referral to qualified, independent evaluation and treatment providers, and ongoing health support and verification of safe practice when needed. WPHP coordinates the healing journey but does not directly diagnose or treat those we serve. Our confidential support and exceptional outcomes provide reassurance of safe practice and promote workforce sustainability.

No. WPHP does not provide treatment. WPHP provides confidential assessment, referral to qualified, independent evaluation and treatment providers. In addition, WPHP can provide ongoing health support and verification of safe practice through a health support agreement when needed.

No. WPHP assists healthcare professionals with any health condition including mental health conditions, non-psychiatric medical conditions, neurologic and cognitive concerns, substance use disorders, and other health concerns that may affect safe clinical practice.

WPHP assists healthcare professionals with any health condition including mental health conditions, non-psychiatric medical conditions, neurologic and cognitive concerns, substance use disorders, and other health concerns that may affect safe clinical practice.

WPHP serves allopathic, osteopathic and podiatric physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and physician assistants, as well as students and residents of these professions. Active licensure is not a requirement for participation.

Yes. WPHP provides services to students and residents of the health professions we serve.

No. Active licensure is not a requirement for participation in WPHP.

If you are not a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, physician assistant, or student or resident of these disciplines, we can refer you to another program within the state.

With 40 years of developed expertise, service commitment, and outstanding outcomes, WPHP has earned the trust and support of the medical community in Washington and the program participants we serve. WPHP was founded in 1986 by a group of concerned members of the Washington State Medical Association who wanted their colleagues to receive treatment, rather than discipline, when illness threatened safe practice. Today, WPHP is an independent, physician-led, nonprofit organization providing critical support to Washington’s health professional workforce.

Yes. Participation in WPHP is voluntary. This remains true even when a health professional is referred by a regulatory authority, an employer, or another entity, and even when a regulatory authority has ordered participation: the choice of whether to engage with WPHP is always up to the health professional. Health professionals are free to decline WPHP services, or to discontinue at any time, and to address the underlying matter directly with their referral source or regulatory authority instead.

WPHP provides confidential assistance to healthcare professionals with conditions that may negatively impact practice performance. Referrals to WPHP help protect the well-being of healthcare professionals and the patients they serve. Strong confidentiality protections encourage early intervention in the illness process before impairment occurs and when the prognosis for full recovery is most favorable. Please see our Confidentiality page for more information.

In all healthcare situations, there are limits to confidentiality. These include danger to self, risk to a child or vulnerable adult, or risk to patient safety. Existing state and federal laws allow WPHP to protect the identity of participants and referent(s) when they follow WPHP recommendations and do not pose a risk to themselves or their patients. A small minority (less than 5% per year) forfeit program confidentiality when risk of unsafe practice or program non-compliance require WPHP to notify the regulator. Such notifications are uncommon and WPHP informs participants and provides ample opportunity for remedy before a mandated notification is made. Please see our Confidentiality page for more information.

The identity of referral sources is safeguarded to the maximum extent permitted by law. Additionally, Washington state law provides immunity from civil liability to all reporting sources, whether it is a fellow healthcare professional, a family member, or another concerned party. Please refer to Washington Administrative Code 246-16-200 through 246-16-270 for reporting requirements for healthcare professionals, employers of healthcare professionals, hospitals, and others licensed by the Department of Health in the state of Washington. License holders are required to identify any other licensed professional who has a physical or mental condition that may affect their ability to practice with reasonable safety. When there has been no patient harm, reports of potential impairment can be submitted to WPHP or to the Department of Health. We strongly recommend that a concerned party fulfill this requirement by contacting WPHP.

Anyone with a concern can make a confidential referral to WPHP by calling 206-583-0127 or by visiting our website at WPHP.org and submitting a referral form.

WPHP confidentially and compassionately engages with the referred health professional to provide information, guidance, and support through the WPHP process. View the step-by-step visual diagram of what to expect if referred or when referring a colleague. WPHP is a voluntary program and participants agree to engage with us through an informed consent process.

No. WPHP does not make decisions about a health professional’s employment, licensing, credentialing, or any legal matter; those decisions rest with the entities responsible for them. If a health professional is a participant in WPHP’s program and declines or does not adhere to the process, WPHP may notify the health professional’s referral source or regulatory authority and may withdraw its advocacy, but any resulting action concerning the health professional’s employment, license, or credentials is taken by those entities, not by WPHP.

If you are a healthcare professional who self-refers to WPHP, you will not be reported to your medical/regulatory board unless you are not adherent with WPHP’s recommendations and/or pose a risk to yourself or others.

Yes. Patient harm must be reported to the Department of Health. A call to WPHP does not fulfill your reporting obligation when there has been clear patient harm as a result of a healthcare professional’s impairment (WAC 246-16-220). A call to WPHP does not fulfill your reporting obligation if the healthcare professional has committed sexual misconduct. The Department of Health’s definitions of such behaviors can be found here: WAC 246-16-100.

Typically, lower severity problems or isolated episodes of unprofessional behavior are not reasons for referral to WPHP. That said, burnout, distress, and unprofessional behavior can also be an indicator of more concerning problems and may improve or resolve when the underlying condition is addressed. For example, WPHP program participants have consistently reported in annual surveys substantially lower rates of burnout than national averages.

WPHP provides consultation to help assess whether identified concerns warrant a referral to WPHP or would be better addressed through other resources. In the absence of an impairing, or potentially impairing, health condition, WPHP offers support and resources but does not usually recommend formal intake to the program or enrollment in a health support agreement.

WPHP is an independent, physician-led nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. We are governed by a Board of Directors that is approved by the Executive Committee of the Washington State Medical Association. 89% of our revenue comes from an annual license surcharge. Participant fees account for 7% of our total revenue. Importantly, the cost of serving each participant significantly exceeds the fees they pay. As a result, WPHP does not realize any net financial gain from participant referrals or enrollment. In addition, WPHP provides need-based grants to program participants to help support unreimbursed evaluation and treatment costs. Please see our Annual Report for more information.

There are no fees associated with the initial referral except for toxicology lab fees. Participants who enter into a health support agreement are billed for WPHP’s ongoing support services during the length of the agreement and may also be billed for ongoing toxicology lab fees when required.

WPHP does not provide diagnosis or treatment.  As such, our services are not covered by health insurance. WPHP makes referrals to external, independent, qualified providers for additional evaluation and treatment which health insurance plans may or may not cover. WPHP tirelessly advocates with payors and providers to mitigate out-of-pocket care expenses for our participants. In addition, WPHP provides need-based scholarships, funded from charitable donations, to assist with external evaluation and treatment expenses. For more information and to apply for financial assistance, please see WPHP’s Financial Assistance page.

WPHP may be able to provide financial assistance to program participants with financial need. Financial aid awarded through WPHP includes grants towards external evaluation and treatment, fee deferrals, and Reunion scholarships. For more information and to apply for financial assistance, please see WPHP’s Financial Assistance page.

WPHP welcomes family and key supports as partners in the healing journey. Please see our Family Services & Support Section for more information.

Yes. WPHP adheres to strict guidelines and refrains from any acts that could reasonably be perceived as a conflict of interest or kickback. This includes not accepting any material gifts, favors, benefits, financial assistance, or kickbacks from individuals or organizations that receive referrals from WPHP for evaluation and treatment or any other entity that conducts business with WPHP with the expressed, implied, or perceived expectation of influencing WPHP decisions regardless of intent.