CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6188

Chapter 367, Laws of 2006

59th Legislature
2006 Regular Session



PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING



EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/7/06

Passed by the Senate March 4, 2006
  YEAS 47   NAYS 0

BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
Passed by the House March 1, 2006
  YEAS 86   NAYS 12

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


 
CERTIFICATE

I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6188 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.

THOMAS HOEMANN
________________________________________    
Secretary
Approved March 31, 2006.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
March 31, 2006 - 9:16 a.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6188
_____________________________________________

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

Passed Legislature - 2006 Regular Session
State of Washington59th Legislature2006 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Johnson, Keiser, Oke, Rockefeller, Thibaudeau and Kohl-Welles)

READ FIRST TIME 01/30/06.   



     AN ACT Relating to health benefit plans offering coverage for prostate cancer screening; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.125 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 70.47 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each plan offered to public employees and their covered dependents under this chapter that is not subject to the provisions of Title 48 RCW and is issued or renewed after December 31, 2006, shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of the health care authority to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplemental policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each disability insurance policy issued or renewed after December 31, 2006, that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of an insurer to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplemental policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each group disability insurance policy issued or renewed after December 31, 2006, that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of an insurer to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplemental policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each health care service contract issued or renewed after December 31, 2006, that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of a contractor to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplemental policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each health maintenance agreement issued or renewed after December 31, 2006, that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) All services must be provided by the health maintenance organization or rendered upon a referral by the health maintenance organization.
     (3) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of a health maintenance organization to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services. This section shall not apply to medicare supplemental policies or supplemental contracts covering a specified disease or other limited benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 48.125 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement established, operated, providing benefits, or maintained in this state after December 31, 2006, that provides coverage for hospital or medical expenses shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of a self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   A new section is added to chapter 70.47 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any schedule of benefits established or renewed by the Washington basic health plan after December 31, 2006, shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
     (2) This section shall not be construed to prevent the application of standard policy provisions applicable to other benefits, such as deductible or copayment provisions. This section does not limit the authority of the health care authority to negotiate rates and contract with specific providers for the delivery of prostate cancer screening services.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
     The department shall provide coverage for prostate cancer screening under this chapter, provided that the screening is delivered upon the recommendation of the patient's physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.


         Passed by the Senate March 4, 2006.
         Passed by the House March 1, 2006.
         Approved by the Governor March 31, 2006.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 31, 2006.