AGENDA
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
July 31, 2000
Omnibus rule makings (R 2000-02 and R 2000-03) to implement
recent legislation are included. The commissioner may also
choose to pursue separate rule makings on some issues in the
omnibus rule makings. An example of where this already has
happened is R 2000-05. The commissioner is also contemplating
rule makings to address chapters 284-02, 284-03, and 284-90 WAC
in her regulatory improvement process. No other rule makings are
currently contemplated but the commissioner reserves the right to
pursue rule making as necessary on behalf of the citizens of
Washington.
| R 98-12 | Requirements for Rate Filings - provide consistent and up-to-date guidelines for filing of rate schedules, and specify the standard to be used to determine when benefits are unreasonable in relation to the proposed premium. |
| R 98-14 | Washington Medicare Supplement Insurance Regulation - improve the clarity and efficiency of rules and amend the chapter to reflect the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA). |
| R 98-15 | Long-Term Care - improve clarity and efficiency of rules and address HIPAA issues. |
| R 98-16 | Washington Disability Insurance Regulation - improve clarity and efficiency of rules. |
| R 98-18 | Out-of-State Groups - update, clarify and review overall regulatory scheme to determine if it is the most complete, efficient, and effective way of regulating this area and protecting consumers receiving coverage in Washington state. |
| R 99-1 | Annuity and Deposit Fund Disclosure Regulation - update regulatory scheme and contemplate possible changes to better protect Washington consumers. |
| R 99-7 | Uniform Claims Procedures - consider new rules to improve efficiency and reduce costs through the use of uniform claim forms and other common administrative procedures for health insurers. The commissioner will oversee a negotiated rule-making process facilitated by the Community Health Information Technology Alliance (CHITA) to develop and recommend the use of uniform processes for the administrative functions of health carriers. These rules may include a direction that carriers use forms and procedures to reduce duplication among carriers such as use of CHITA's "Standard Referral Form." Among the topics for consideration are uniform billing and claims forms, referral forms, authorization forms, and audit standards. |
| R 2000-02 | Patient Bill of Rights - the commissioner will consider new rules to implement the recently enacted "patient bill of rights" chapter 5, Laws of 2000 (E2SSB 6199). The new law covers seven areas that will be the subject of rules: Health information privacy, information disclosure, access to health care services, insurer review of health care (utilization review), grievance processes, and independent review organizations. Several of the subjects require the commissioner to adopt rules. |
| R 2000-03 | Individual Insurance Market - implementation and enforcement of E2SSB 6067, (chapter 79, Laws of 2000) which modifies rate approval, guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewability, portability, adjudication, and preexisting condition limitation provisions, and establishes new procedures of the Washington State Health Insurance Pool. |
| R 2000-04 | Prescription Drug Benefits - the commissioner will consider rules to implement parts of the recently enacted Health Insurance Reform Act, specifically section 26, chapter 79, Laws of 2000, which establishes a prescription benefit. |
| R 2000-05 | Health Information Privacy - the commissioner will consider new rules to implement the recently enacted "patient bill of rights" chapter 5, Laws of 2000 (E2SSB 6199). This rule making will focus specifically on the issue of health information privacy. In addition, the commissioner will consider ways to coordinate issues of health information privacy with federal privacy initiatives. |
| R 2000-06 | Extending the "reasonable time" under RCW 48.104.090. |
This agenda is submitted by Jon Hedegard, Rules Coordinator, Office of the Insurance Commissioner.