BILL REQ. #: H-1485.1
| State of Washington | 58th Legislature | 2003 Regular Session |
Read first time 02/19/2003. Referred to Committee on Health Care.
AN ACT Relating to insurance coverage for injuries sustained because of alcohol or narcotic use; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; creating new sections; and repealing RCW 48.20.272.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that an alcohol or
drug-related injury that requires treatment in an emergency department
can be a critical moment in the life of a person with a substance abuse
problem. Studies have demonstrated that appropriate interventions by
hospital staff at these times can reduce substance abuse and lower
future health care costs. The perception among health care providers
that they may be penalized by insurers for conducting these
interventions prevents many of them from performing interventions which
can make all the difference to a person at the crossroads of a
substance abuse problem.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW
to read as follows:
An insurer may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury
solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the
insured's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW
to read as follows:
An insurer may not deny coverage for the treatment of an injury
solely because the injury was sustained as a consequence of the
insured's being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW
to read as follows:
A health care service contractor may not deny coverage for the
treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a
consequence of the enrolled participant's being intoxicated or under
the influence of a narcotic.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW
to read as follows:
A health maintenance organization may not deny coverage for the
treatment of an injury solely because the injury was sustained as a
consequence of the enrolled participant's being intoxicated or under
the influence of a narcotic.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6 RCW 48.20.272 (Optional standard provision
No. 23--Intoxicants and narcotics) and 1951 c 229 s 28 are each
repealed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7 This act applies to all contracts issued or
renewed on or after the effective date of this act.