BILL REQ. #:  H-1167.1 

Read first time 01/30/09.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to transparency of health care cost information; and adding a new section to chapter 70.01 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 70.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) All fees and charges for health care services and procedures shall be disclosed by a health care provider licensed under Title 18 RCW or facility licensed under Title 70 RCW, upon request of a patient.
(2) Providers may, after disclosing charges and fees to a patient, refer the patient to the patient's insurer for specific information on the insurer's negotiated charges and fees for services and procedures, and any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient.