1869-S AMS KEIS NEED 861

SHB 1869 - S AMD 447

By Senators Keiser and Pflug

ADOPTED 4/22/2009

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 70.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Health care providers licensed under Title 18 RCW and health care facilities licensed under Title 70 RCW, shall provide the following to a patient upon request:
     (a) An estimate of fees and charges related to a specific service, visit, or stay; and
     (b) Information regarding other types of fees or charges a patient may receive in conjunction with their visit to the provider or facility. Hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW may fulfill this requirement by providing a statement and contact information as described in RCW 70.41.400.
     (2) Providers and facilities listed in subsection (1) of this section may, after disclosing estimated charges and fees to a patient, refer the patient to the patient's insurer, if applicable, for specific information on the insurer's charges and fees, any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient, and the network status of ancillary providers who may or may not share the same network status as the provider or facility.
     (3) Except for hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, providers and facilities listed in subsection (1) of this section shall post a sign in patient registration areas containing at least the following language: "Information about the estimated charges of your health services is available upon request. Please do not hesitate to ask for information."

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.41 RCW to read as follows:
     Hospitals licensed under this chapter shall post a sign in patient registration areas containing at least the following language: "Information about the estimated charges of your hospital services is available upon request. Please do not hesitate to ask for information.""

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "information;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new section to chapter 70.01 RCW, and chapter 70.41 RCW."

EFFECT:   Providers and facilities may refer the patient to the patient's insurer for specific information on the insurer's charges and fees, any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient, and the network status of ancillary providers who may or may not share the same network status as the provider or facility; Providers and facilities must post a sign in patient registration areas indicating patients may ask about the estimated charges of the health services.

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