H-0586.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1963
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives Roland and Campbell
Read first time 02/17/93. Referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.
AN ACT Relating to insurance coverage of naturopathic services; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:
Notwithstanding any provision of any disability insurance contract as provided for in this chapter, benefits shall not be denied under the contract for health care services performed by a holder of a license issued under chapter 18.36A RCW if (1) the service performed was within the lawful scope of the person's license, and (2) the contract would have provided benefits if the service had been performed by a holder of a license issued under chapter 18.71 RCW. No provision of chapter 18.71 RCW may be asserted to deny benefits under this section.
The provisions of this section are intended to be remedial and procedural to the extent they do not impair the obligation of an existing contract.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
Notwithstanding any provision of any group disability insurance contract or blanket disability insurance contract as provided for in this chapter, benefits shall not be denied under the contract for health services performed by a holder of a license issued under chapter 18.36A RCW if (1) the service performed was within the lawful scope of the person's license, and (2) the contract would have provided benefits if the service had been performed by a holder of a license issued under chapter 18.71 RCW. No provision of chapter 18.71 RCW may be asserted to deny benefits under this section.
The provisions of this section are intended to be remedial and procedural to the extent they do not impair the obligation of an existing contract.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Each group contract for comprehensive health care service that is entered into, or renewed, on or after September 8, 1983, between a health care service contractor and the person or persons to receive the care shall offer coverage for naturopathic care on the same basis as other care.
(2) A patient of a naturopath shall not be denied benefits under a contract because the practitioner is not licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.
(3) This section does not apply to a group contract for comprehensive health care services entered into in accordance with a collective bargaining agreement between management and labor representatives. Benefits for naturopathic care shall be offered by the employer in good faith on the same basis as other care as a subject for collective bargaining for group contracts for health care services.
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