FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1876

                          FULL VETO

                    As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Modifying provision of dental services by certified health plans.

Sponsors:  Representatives Dyer and Dellwo.

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:  The Washington Health Services Act of 1993 requires certified health plans (CHPs) to offer, at a minimum, the full uniform benefits package (UBP).  The only exception to the requirement is dental-only CHPs.  Such CHPs were allowed to offer dental services as a separate, or "unbundled," service.  The dental-only CHPs authorization was passed in two separate bills and codified in two different chapters of law.  In implementing the 1993 act, the Washington Health Services Commission found inconsistencies in the two provisions.

Summary:  Insuring entities are permitted to offer coverage for dental services as part of, or separate from, the UBP, consistent with certification rules set by the Insurance Commissioner.  Such permission is not intended to convey a market advantage for dental-only CHPs.  The Washington Health Services Commission and the Insurance Commissioner must develop and enforce separate cost containment requirements, including separate community-rated premium submaximums and enrollee financial participation submaximums.

Dental-only CHPs are required to comply with all applicable laws governing the financial supervision and solvency of such organizations, including laws concerning capital and surplus requirements, reserves, deposits, bonds, and indemnities.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     98 0

Senate    41 0