SHB 1869 -
By Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/02/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 70.01 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Health care providers licensed under Title 18 RCW and health
care facilities licensed under Title 70 RCW, shall provide the
following to a patient upon request:
(a) An estimate of fees and charges related to a specific service,
visit, or stay; and
(b) Information regarding other types of fees or charges a patient
may receive in conjunction with their visit to the provider or
facility.
(2) Providers and facilities listed in subsection (1) of this
section may, after disclosing estimated charges and fees to a patient,
refer the patient to the patient's insurer, if applicable, for specific
information on the insurer's negotiated charges and fees, and any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient.
(3) Providers and facilities listed in subsection (1) of this
section must post a notice in a location visible to all patients that
says, "You have the right to know the estimated cost of your health
services before you consent to the services. Please do not hesitate to
ask for information.""
SHB 1869 -
By Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/02/2009
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "information;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new section to chapter 70.01 RCW."
EFFECT: Requires posting of a notice that patients have a right to know the estimated cost of the health services.