WSR 16-10-056 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY OFFICE OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONER [Insurance Commissioner Matter No. R 2016-10—Filed April 29, 2016, 4:54 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Adding dental insurance requirements to comply with SHB 1002.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2015, the legislature passed SHB 1002, which goes into effect on January 1, 2017, and adds two new sections to chapter 48.43 RCW (RCW 48.43.740 and 48.43.743). Under the first new section, health carriers that offer dental-only health plans can't refuse to pay a claim simply because it was for an emergency condition that a provider diagnosed and treated on the same day.
Under the second new section (RCW 48.43.743), health carriers that offer dental-only health plans must submit additional information to the office of the insurance commissioner (OIC), such as the total number of dental members and revenue, by April 1 of each year. OIC must make this information publicly available in a searchable format on a web site and must work with disability carriers to develop a data statement using information from annual statements.
Process for Developing New Rule: Submit written comments by June 17, 2016, 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 Bianca Stoner, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.
April 29, 2016
Mike Kreidler
Insurance Commissioner
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