BILL REQ. #:  S-1606.1 

Read first time 02/11/09.   Referred to Committee on Health & Long-Term Care.

     AN ACT Relating to diagnostic imaging services; and adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Advanced diagnostic imaging services" means magnetic resonance imaging services, computed tomography services, positron emission tomography services, and cardiac nuclear medicine services.
     (2) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority.
     (3) "Payor" means public purchasers and carriers licensed under chapters 48.21, 48.41, 48.44, 48.46, and 48.62 RCW.
     (4) "Public purchaser" means the department of social and health services, the department of health, the department of labor and industries, the authority, and the Washington state health insurance pool.
     (5) "State purchased health care" has the same meaning as in RCW 41.05.011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The speaker of the house of representatives and the majority leader of the senate shall convene a work group to analyze and identify nationally accepted best practice guidelines or protocols applicable to advanced diagnostic imaging services and any decision and support tools available to implement the guidelines or protocols.
     (2) The work group shall consist of the following members appointed jointly by the speaker of the house and the majority leader of the senate:
     (a) One member of the authority's health technology clinical committee;
     (b) One representative of the Washington state medical association;
     (c) One representative of the Washington state radiological society;
     (d) One representative of the Puget Sound health alliance; and
     (e) One representative of the Washington health care forum.
     (3) The work group shall:
     (a) No later than November 15, 2009, identify nationally accepted best practice guidelines or protocols applicable to advanced diagnostic imaging services, and decision and support tools to implement the guidelines or protocols, to be used by all state purchased health care programs. When identifying the guidelines or protocols, the work group may consult with organizations such as the Minnesota institute for clinical systems improvement; and
     (b) Explore the feasibility of mandating the use of the guidelines or protocols for all payors in the state by January 1, 2011, for the reimbursement of advanced diagnostic imaging services.
     (4) Staff support to the work group shall be provided by the office of program research and senate committee services.
     (5) The expenses of the work group shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Work group expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (6) The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than November 15, 2009.
     (7) The work group shall expire on January 31, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   No later than January 1, 2010, the authority shall implement for all state purchased health care programs the nationally accepted best practice guidelines or protocols applicable to advanced diagnostic imaging services, and the decision and support tools to implement the guidelines or protocols, identified under section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Any current or future time frames, procedures, rules, regulations, or guidance regarding accreditation requirements for advanced diagnostic imaging services established in, or promulgated pursuant to, section 135(a) of the medicare improvements for patients and providers act of 2008, shall also be applicable to any person or entity in this state not already subject to its provisions that receives payment for the furnishing of the technical component of advanced diagnostic imaging services as defined under that act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.