HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1125

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

                       Appropriations

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.

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).

Background:  The Department of Social & 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 the DSHS has been increased from 120 days to 12 months.  Prior written approval of extension is eliminated.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 21, 1991.

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

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

Testimony Against:  None.

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

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).

Summary of Recommendation of Committee on Appropriations Compared to Recommendation of Committee on Health Care:  No changes were recommended.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  DSHS supports the bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  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.