H-3512.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2330

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Backlund, Hymes, Dyer, Goldsmith, Crouse, Thompson, Sherstad, D. Sommers, McMahan, D. Schmidt, L. Thomas, Hargrove and McMorris

Read first time 01/10/96.  Referred to Committee on Health Care.

Extending the benefit waiting period for preexisting conditions.

     AN ACT Relating to extending the benefit waiting period for preexisting conditions; and amending RCW 48.43.025.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.  RCW 48.43.025 and 1995 c 265 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) No carrier may reject an individual for health plan coverage based upon preexisting conditions of the individual and no carrier may deny, exclude, or otherwise limit coverage for an individual's preexisting health conditions; except that a carrier may impose a ((three-month)) twelve-month benefit waiting period for preexisting conditions for which medical advice was given, or for which a health care provider recommended or provided treatment within ((three)) twelve months before the effective date of coverage.

     (2) No carrier may avoid the requirements of this section through the creation of a new rate classification or the modification of an existing rate classification.  A new or changed rate classification will be deemed an attempt to avoid the provisions of this section if the new or changed classification would substantially discourage applications for coverage from individuals or groups who are higher than average health risks.  These provisions apply only to individuals who are Washington residents.

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