The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has created its first-ever medical provider network to deliver health care to injured workers in Washington.

Starting this week, workers who have a job-related injury or illness can see any provider for their first visit to a doctor's office or an emergency room, but must receive ongoing treatment from a doctor in the network.

Workers can search for providers at www.FindADoc.

Lni.wa.gov, a directory with more than 9,300 network providers. The directory is updated daily.

L&I will help injured workers covered by the state workers' compensation plan find a new medical provider if their doctor is not in the network and they are unable to find a new one.

Workers whose claims are managed by their self-insured employers should contact the company or its third-party administrator directly.

Medical providers not in the network won't be paid for treating injured workers, except for the initial visit when a claim is filed. Providers who applied by Dec. 31 can continue to treat injured workers while L&I reviews their applications.

All providers who meet network requirements will be accepted. Providers are encouraged to apply at www.JointheNetwork.Lni.wa.gov.