PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Standards for rotational referrals to independent review organizations (IROs) and submission of reports of referrals and the results of reviews to the office of the insurance commissioner (OIC). In addition, sections of WAC 284-43-630 that duplicate Washington laws will be repealed.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 48.43.535(10).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: It has come to the attention of the OIC that clarification on rotational referrals to IROs and requirements for submission of reports of referrals and the results of reviews are necessary to ensure that proper procedures are followed. Sections of WAC 284-43-630 that duplicate Washington laws will be repealed.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state department of health and OIC jointly regulate IROs; however, it is the sole responsibility of the OIC to ensure the proper process for using certified IROs is followed and that reports concerning the results of the reviews are appropriately filed.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and by submitting written comments by December 4, 2006, to Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, fax (360) 586-3109, e-mail KacyS@oic.wa.gov.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, fax (360) 586-3109, e-mail KacyS@oic.wa.gov.
October 18, 2006
Mike Kreidler
Insurance Commissioner