Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.

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How to contact local health departments?
Questions regarding the Basic Health plan?
How to obtain public services assistance, such as how to get medical help, food stamps or food resources?
How to obtain a Washington Food and Beverage Services Worker's Permit?
How to order vital records, birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates?
How to order health education publications listed in our catalog?
How can I check the current status of any licensed, registered or certified health care provider?
How to make a complaint about a health professional or hospital?
How to contact agency staff?
Main Department of Health address and telephone?
Immunization - How to get "shot" records?
Do people have a right to get copies of their medical records?
Questions on HIV/AIDS?
Questions about lice?
Questions to DOH as a central source from which to obtain referrals to other agencies and services not listed here.
Subject/Topic Directory - a list of health-related topics with, in most cases, a contact name and phone number. Some are Washington State, Department of Health resources and some are external resources.

Questions regarding the Basic Health plan?

This program is not administered by the Department of Health. You can reach them by calling 1-800-826-2444 or via the Health Care Authority web site.

If you have questions about private insurance companies, call the Insurance Commissioner's office at 1-800-562-6900 or visit the Insurance Commissioner's web site.

How to obtain public services assistance, such as how to get medical help, food stamps or food resources?

These services are handled by the Department of Social and Heath Services.

How to obtain a Washington Food and Beverage Services Worker's Permit?

These are issued by local health departments/districts, a test is required and there is a small fee.

How to order materials from the DOH Health Education Catalog?

To order publications: download and complete the order form (download a word viewer) and fax your order to (360) 664-2929. You may also mail your request to:

Washington State Department of Health
Materials Management Warehouse
P O Box 47845
Olympia, WA 98504-7845

If you would like a copy of the Health Education Catalog mailed to you, e-mail your name and mailing address.

How to make a complaint about a health professional or hospital?

Main Department of Health address and telephone?

Washington Department of Health
1112 S.E. Quince Street
P O Box 47890
Olympia, WA 98504-7890

(360) 236-4501 Information/Receptionist

Immunization - How to get "shot" records?

People are surprised to learn that, presently, there is no centralized computer that maintains immunization records. To get immunization records you need to obtain the records from the physician, medical center or local health jurisdiction that provided the immunizations.

Do people have a right to get copies of their medical records?

Yes. However, the Department of Health only has jurisdiction over what fees providers may set for charging for copies of medical records. This is adjusted based on changes in the consumer price index. The providers don't have to release the medical records until they are paid for the copies. Providers may charge a $20 clerical fee for searching and handling records, 88 cents per page for first 30 pages, and 67 cents per page for pages after that. If you have trouble getting a provider to release the copies, the civil remedies are within the court system. See RCW 70.02 for the law. The civil remedies are in 70.02.170 . If a provider refuses to provide copies under this law, then an unprofessional conduct complaint may be in order. See complaint information above.

Questions on HIV/AIDS:

People acquire HIV through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person or through sharing needles or syringes used for injecting drugs. An infected woman may pass the virus to her baby during or immediately after pregnancy. HIV is not spread by casual contact, by donating blood, eating in restaurants, or using public toilets, telephones, or swimming pools.

People infected with HIV may not have any symptoms for several years, but can still infect their sex or needle-sharing partners. There are no symptoms that are specific only to an HIV infection. The only way a person can know if he or she is infected is to have a test for HIV antibodies. Antibodies to an HIV infection are almost always produced within three to six months after infection. Local health departments and private doctors can provide counseling and testing for people who are unsure of their HIV infection status.

If you have further questions about HIV/AIDS transmission or on where or how to get tested for HIV/AIDS...contact your local health department/district or call the Department of Health HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-800-272-2437.

For information on other communicable diseases, and other public health topics, you can find fact sheets at http://www.doh.wa.gov/A-Z.htm. Each fact sheet has contact information listed at the bottom.

Questions about lice?

Contact your local health department/district or Department of Health STD Education contact Bonnie Nickle via e-mail or at (360) 236-3498.

Questions to DOH as a central source of information from which to obtain referrals to other agencies and services not listed here.

Contact our Office of Health Consumer Assistance at 1-800-525-0127 or e-mail.

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Washington State Department of Health
Public Health Laboratories
1610 NE 150th Street
Shoreline, WA 98155-9701
Telephone: (206) 418-5400  •  Fax: (206) 418-5445

Last Update : 05/08/2006 09:24 AM
Send inquires about DOH and its programs to the Health Consumer Assistance Office
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