CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

 

                   ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        54th Legislature

                      1995 Regular Session

Passed by the House April 20, 1995

  Yeas 96   Nays 0

 

 

 

 

Speaker of the

       House of Representatives

 

Passed by the Senate April 7, 1995

  Yeas 40   Nays 1

               CERTIFICATE

 

I, Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2005 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

 

 

 

 

President of the Senate

 

                               Chief Clerk

 

 

Approved Place Style On Codes above, and Style Off Codes below.

                                     FILED

          

 

 

Governor of the State of Washington

                        Secretary of State

                       State of Washington


                  _______________________________________________

 

                             ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL 2005

                  _______________________________________________

 

                             AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

                     Passed Legislature - 1995 Regular Session

 

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1995 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Dyer and Dellwo

 

Read first time 02/21/95.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

 

Modifying certified health plan provision of vision benefits.



     AN ACT Relating to the modification of provisions governing certified health plans providing vision benefits only; adding a new section to chapter 48.01 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 48.01 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) An insurer, health care service contractor, or health maintenance organization that offers coverage for vision services and that obtains or holds a certificate of authority or certificate of registration issued by the insurance commissioner under chapter 48.05, 48.44, or 48.46 RCW may provide coverage for vision services as authorized by chapter 48.05, 48.44, or 48.46 RCW and as provided in this section.  Such a company is deemed certified and registered as a certified health plan under RCW 43.72.090 and 48.43.010 for the delivery of coverage for vision services.  The Washington health services commission and the insurance commissioner shall adopt standards and procedures to permit, upon request, the prompt certification and registration of such a company, and the issuance of a certificate as a certified health plan.  Such a certification and registration only authorizes the company to provide coverage for vision services and does not subject the company to requirements applicable to certified health plans except as specifically provided in this section.  Such a company shall be known as a "Vision-Only CHP."  The legislature does not intend by creating this designation to convey a market advantage over certified health plans providing coverage for vision services.

     (2) A Vision-Only CHP may provide coverage for vision services to individuals, to employers for the benefit of employees or for the benefit of employees and their dependents, and to other persons, entities, and agencies authorized by law to purchase health care services from, or enroll in, a certified health plan.  A Vision-Only CHP may provide such coverage by separate policy, contract, or rider issued directly to the purchaser, or it may subcontract to a certified health plan that provides the vision coverage as part of the uniform benefits package, supplemental benefits, or other arrangement delivered to the purchaser.

     (3) If an individual, employer, or other purchaser purchases coverage for vision services from a Vision-Only CHP and that coverage is part of the uniform benefits package or supplemental benefits designed by the Washington health services commission and regulated by the commissioner, or part of a state-managed program of health care coverages, a certified health plan may provide to the purchaser the other coverages comprising the balance of the uniform benefits package, supplemental benefits, or state-managed program, by separate policy, contract, or rider.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual, employer, or other purchaser may purchase coverage for vision services in the uniform benefits package, supplemental benefits, or state-managed program from a Vision-Only CHP and concurrently purchase the balance of the required coverages separately from a certified health plan.  To foster such concurrent purchases, the Washington health services commission and the commissioner shall develop and enforce separate cost containment and filing systems and procedures for vision coverages and other coverages, including separate community-rated premium submaximums and enrollee financial participation submaximums.

     (4) A Vision-Only CHP shall fully comply with all applicable laws under chapter 48.05, 48.44, or 48.46 RCW governing the financial supervision and solvency of such organizations, including but not limited to applicable laws concerning capital and surplus requirements, reserves, deposits, bonds, and indemnities.  In the sale of coverage for vision services that is part of the uniform benefits package, a Vision-Only CHP shall comply with all applicable administrative rules prescribed by the health services commission, the insurance commissioner, and other state agencies governing certified health plans under RCW 43.72.100.  The sale of vision coverages that are part of supplemental benefits are not subject to RCW 43.72.100, 43.72.160, or 43.72.170.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.

 


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