S-3049.3 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6049
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1992 Regular Session
By Senator L. Smith
Read first time 01/13/92. Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.
AN ACT Relating to referral of patients to laboratories by physicians; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; and prescribing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Department" means the department of health.
(2) "Health care laboratory service" means a business, firm, corporation, or entity that provides testing or diagnosis of human disease or dysfunction and includes, but is not limited to, bioanalytical, laboratory, radiological, and diagnostic imagery services.
(3) "Practitioner" means a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Except when authorized under subsection (2) of this section, a practitioner shall not refer a patient to a health care laboratory service in which the practitioner has any financial interest.
(2) A practitioner may refer a patient to a health care laboratory service in which the practitioner has a financial interest if the department has determined by rule that:
(a) The service is located in a rural area, as defined by the department, and provides laboratory services primarily to patients living in the rural area;
(b) Alternative health care laboratory services are not available in the rural area; and
(c) Prohibiting the referral of patients will jeopardize patient care because of delays in treatment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A violation of this chapter is a gross misdemeanor and is unprofessional conduct and subject to the provisions of chapter 18.130 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.