PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 284-53 WAC, Standards for coverage of chemical dependency, the commissioner is committed to the review of existing regulations to improve the clarity and efficiency of Title 284 WAC. This rule making will contemplate changes to clarify and update the existing WAC sections and to improve the regulatory framework of chapter 284-53 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 48.21.197, 48.44.050, and 48.46.200.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Update criteria in definitions section and modify provisions inconsistent with requirements in chapter 284-43 WAC. Clarify application of minimum benefit standards to ease administrative burden of implementing this benefit.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. To ensure that comments are considered prior to the filing of a CR-102, interested parties should submit written comments by December 19, 2003, to Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, e-mail Kacys@oic.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-3109, phone (360) 725-7041.
October 22, 2003
Mike Kreidler
Insurance Commissioner