H-4341.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2864
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Representatives Dyer, Backlund and Skinner
Read first time 01/21/98. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to health carrier access plans; and adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
Beginning July 1, 1998, every health carrier shall develop and update annually an access plan that meets the requirements of this section for each of the health care networks that the carrier offers in this state. The health carrier shall make the access plans available on its business premises and shall provide nonproprietary information to any interested party upon request. The carrier shall prepare an access plan prior to offering a health plan utilizing a substantially different health care network. The plan shall include, at least, the following:
(1) The health carrier's network of providers and facilities by license, certification and registration type, and by geographic location;
(2) The health carrier's process for monitoring and assuring on an ongoing basis the sufficiency of the provider network to meet the covered health care needs of its enrolled populations; and
(3) The health carrier's methods for assessing the health care needs of covered persons and their satisfaction with services.
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