FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2005

                          FULL VETO

                    As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Modifying certified health plan provision of vision benefits.

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).  CHPs are not permitted to offer vision care only.

Summary:  Insuring entities are permitted to offer coverage for vision care 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 vision-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.

Vision-care 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    40 1 (Senate amended)

House     96 0 (House concurred)