HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1125

                       As Passed House

                       March 19, 1991

Title:  An act relating to the billing period for vendors.

Brief Description:  Changing the billing period to twelve months.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Braddock and Orr; by request of Dept. of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, January 30, 1991, DP;

Appropriations, March 7, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 19, 1991, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Franklin; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 28 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Inslee, Vice Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Belcher; Bowman; Brekke; Dorn; Ebersole; Ferguson; Fuhrman; Hine; Lisk; May; McLean; Mielke; Nealey; Peery; Pruitt; Rust; H. Sommers; Sprenkle; Valle; Vance; Wang; and Wineberry.

Staff:  Wayne Kawakami (786-7384).

Background:  The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) administers the Medical Assistance Program which includes Medicaid.  Currently, medical providers are required to submit medical assistance claims to DSHS within 120 days from the date of the service.  This limitation is inconsistent with the requirements of private medical insurance carriers and has caused confusion, extra administrative workload, and occasional loss of revenue for medical providers.  Potential loss of payments and an increased administrative workload have caused medical providers to limit or eliminate their participation in DSHS's medical assistance program.  This has exacerbated the serious problem of obtaining health providers to care for public recipients.

Summary of Bill:  The time allowed for medical practitioners to present charges to DSHS has been increased from 120 days to 12 months.  Prior written approval of extension is eliminated.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Health Care) This bill is necessary to maintain an adequate supply of health providers for medical assistance recipients.

(Appropriations) DSHS supports the bill.

Testimony Against:  (Health Care) None.

(Appropriations) None.

Witnesses:  (Health Care) Leslie James, Department of Social and Health Services (Pro); and Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association, Washington Ambulance Association, and Washington State Medical Group Management Association (Pro).

(Appropriations) Les James, Department of Social and Health Services; Susie Tracy, Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Medical Group Management Association; Ken Bertrand, Group Health; and Jeff Mero, Washington State Hospital Association.