BILL REQ. #:  H-3861.1 

Read first time 01/14/10.   Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.

     AN ACT Relating to estimates for health care fees and charges; and amending RCW 70.01.030.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 70.01.030 and 2009 c 529 s 1 are each amended 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. Hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW may fulfill this requirement by providing a statement and contact information as described in RCW 70.41.400.
     (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 charges and fees, any cost-sharing responsibilities required of the patient, and the network status of ancillary providers who may or may not share the same network status as the provider or facility.
     (3) Except for hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW and ambulances and aid vehicles defined in RCW 18.73.030, providers and facilities listed in subsection (1) of this section shall post a sign in patient registration areas containing at least the following language: "Information about the estimated charges of your health services is available upon request. Please do not hesitate to ask for information."