Subject of Possible Rule Making: Issuer disclosures, notices and processes to protect privacy of health care information.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050, 48.46.200.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commissioner is proposing rule development on this subject in response to a petition requesting rules related to issuer practices in disseminating explanation of benefit documents that contain protected personal health information. A credible concern was raised that issuers do not have processes in place to ensure that covered person's personal health information is not made available to other household members without their consent.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Submit written comments by July 25, 2013, to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-3109.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Meg L. Jones, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov, phone (360) 725-7170, fax (360) 586-3109.

May 22, 2013

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner