BILL REQ. #:  S-2122.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/25/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to the basic health plan; amending RCW 70.47.020, 70.47.030, 70.47.060, 70.47.100, and 50.20.210; creating a new section; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the Washington basic health plan plays a critical and valuable role in providing coverage for necessary basic health care services in an appropriate setting to working persons and others who lack coverage. The program has assisted hundreds of thousands of families in their search for affordable health care since its establishment in 1989, demonstrated that low-income, uninsured families are willing to pay for their own health care coverage to the extent of their ability to pay, and proven that health care providers are willing to enter into a successful and productive public-private partnership to offer coverage.
     (2) The legislature further finds that during an economic recession, access to coverage through the basic health plan becomes even more critical. The basic health plan serves as a safety net for the people of Washington state. Persons who lose their job often also lose their employer-sponsored health insurance, leaving them uninsured as they search for new employment opportunities. The basic health plan should help fill this gap in coverage, enabling unemployed workers to maintain their health and avoid the risk of financial hardship related to unpaid medical bills as they search for new employment.

Sec. 2   RCW 70.47.020 and 2007 c 259 s 35 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter:
     (1) "Washington basic health plan" or "plan" means the system of enrollment and payment for basic health care services, administered by the plan administrator through participating managed health care systems, created by this chapter.
     (2) "Administrator" means the Washington basic health plan administrator, who also holds the position of administrator of the Washington state health care authority.
     (3) "Economic recovery enrollee" means an individual worker, plus the individual's spouse or dependent children, who become involuntarily unemployed on or after September 1, 2008, and are receiving unemployment compensation benefits under Title 50 RCW. Meeting the eligibility criteria as an economic recovery enrollee shall not preclude an individual from being treated as a subsidized enrollee if he or she meets the definition of subsidized enrollee under this section.
     (4) "Health coverage tax credit program" means the program created by the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210) that provides a federal tax credit that subsidizes private health insurance coverage for displaced workers certified to receive certain trade adjustment assistance benefits and for individuals receiving benefits from the pension benefit guaranty corporation.
     (((4))) (5) "Health coverage tax credit eligible enrollee" means individual workers and their qualified family members who lose their jobs due to the effects of international trade and are eligible for certain trade adjustment assistance benefits; or are eligible for benefits under the alternative trade adjustment assistance program; or are people who receive benefits from the pension benefit guaranty corporation and are at least fifty-five years old.
     (((5))) (6) "Managed health care system" means: (a) Any health care organization, including health care providers, insurers, health care service contractors, health maintenance organizations, or any combination thereof, that provides directly or by contract basic health care services, as defined by the administrator and rendered by duly licensed providers, to a defined patient population enrolled in the plan and in the managed health care system; or (b) a self-funded or self-insured method of providing insurance coverage to subsidized enrollees provided under RCW 41.05.140 and subject to the limitations under RCW 70.47.100(7).
     (((6))) (7) "Subsidized enrollee" means:
     (a) An individual, or an individual plus the individual's spouse or dependent children:
     (i) Who is not eligible for medicare;
     (ii) Who is not confined or residing in a government-operated institution, unless he or she meets eligibility criteria adopted by the administrator;
     (iii) Who is not a full-time student who has received a temporary visa to study in the United States;
     (iv) Who resides in an area of the state served by a managed health care system participating in the plan;
     (v) Whose gross family income at the time of enrollment does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty level as adjusted for family size and determined annually by the federal department of health and human services; and
     (vi) Who chooses to obtain basic health care coverage from a particular managed health care system in return for periodic payments to the plan;
     (b) An individual who meets the requirements in (a)(i) through (iv) and (vi) of this subsection and who is a foster parent licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW and whose gross family income at the time of enrollment does not exceed three hundred percent of the federal poverty level as adjusted for family size and determined annually by the federal department of health and human services; and
     (c) To the extent that state funds are specifically appropriated for this purpose, with a corresponding federal match, an individual, or an individual's spouse or dependent children, who meets the requirements in (a)(i) through (iv) and (vi) of this subsection and whose gross family income at the time of enrollment is more than two hundred percent, but less than two hundred fifty-one percent, of the federal poverty level as adjusted for family size and determined annually by the federal department of health and human services.
     (((7))) (8) "Nonsubsidized enrollee" means an individual, or an individual plus the individual's spouse or dependent children: (a) Who is not eligible for medicare; (b) who is not confined or residing in a government-operated institution, unless he or she meets eligibility criteria adopted by the administrator; (c) who is accepted for enrollment by the administrator as provided in RCW 48.43.018, either because the potential enrollee cannot be required to complete the standard health questionnaire under RCW 48.43.018, or, based upon the results of the standard health questionnaire, the potential enrollee would not qualify for coverage under the Washington state health insurance pool; (d) who resides in an area of the state served by a managed health care system participating in the plan; (e) who chooses to obtain basic health care coverage from a particular managed health care system; ((and)) (f) who pays or on whose behalf is paid the full costs for participation in the plan, without any subsidy from the plan; and (g) who is an economic recovery enrollee as defined in subsection (3) of this section and is not otherwise eligible to be a subsidized enrollee.
     (((8))) (9) "Subsidy" means the difference between the amount of periodic payment the administrator makes to a managed health care system on behalf of a subsidized enrollee plus the administrative cost to the plan of providing the plan to that subsidized enrollee, and the amount determined to be the subsidized enrollee's responsibility under RCW 70.47.060(2).
     (((9))) (10) "Premium" means a periodic payment, which an individual, their employer or another financial sponsor makes to the plan as consideration for enrollment in the plan as a subsidized enrollee, a nonsubsidized enrollee, an economic recovery enrollee, or a health coverage tax credit eligible enrollee.
     (((10))) (11) "Rate" means the amount, negotiated by the administrator with and paid to a participating managed health care system, that is based upon the enrollment of subsidized, nonsubsidized, economic recovery, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees in the plan and in that system.

Sec. 3   RCW 70.47.030 and 2004 c 192 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The basic health plan trust account is hereby established in the state treasury. Any nongeneral fund-state funds collected for this program shall be deposited in the basic health plan trust account and may be expended without further appropriation. Moneys in the account shall be used exclusively for the purposes of this chapter, including payments to participating managed health care systems on behalf of enrollees in the plan and payment of costs of administering the plan.
     During the 1995-97 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer funds from the basic health plan trust account to the state general fund.
     (2) The basic health plan subscription account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from amounts due from or on behalf of nonsubsidized enrollees, economic recovery enrollees, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees shall be deposited into the account. Funds in the account shall be used exclusively for the purposes of this chapter, including payments to participating managed health care systems on behalf of nonsubsidized enrollees, economic recovery enrollees, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees in the plan and payment of costs of administering the plan. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.
     (3) The administrator shall take every precaution to see that none of the funds in the separate accounts created in this section or that any premiums paid either by subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees are commingled in any way, except that the administrator may combine funds designated for administration of the plan into a single administrative account.

Sec. 4   RCW 70.47.060 and 2007 c 259 s 36 are each amended to read as follows:
     The administrator has the following powers and duties:
     (1) To design and from time to time revise a schedule of covered basic health care services, including physician services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, prescription drugs and medications, and other services that may be necessary for basic health care. In addition, the administrator may, to the extent that funds are available, offer as basic health plan services chemical dependency services, mental health services and organ transplant services; however, no one service or any combination of these three services shall increase the actuarial value of the basic health plan benefits by more than five percent excluding inflation, as determined by the office of financial management. All subsidized ((and)), nonsubsidized, economic recovery, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees in any participating managed health care system under the Washington basic health plan shall be entitled to receive covered basic health care services in return for premium payments to the plan. The schedule of services shall emphasize proven preventive and primary health care and shall include all services necessary for prenatal, postnatal, and well-child care. However, with respect to coverage for subsidized enrollees who are eligible to receive prenatal and postnatal services through the medical assistance program under chapter 74.09 RCW, the administrator shall not contract for such services except to the extent that such services are necessary over not more than a one-month period in order to maintain continuity of care after diagnosis of pregnancy by the managed care provider. The schedule of services shall also include a separate schedule of basic health care services for children, eighteen years of age and younger, for those subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees who choose to secure basic coverage through the plan only for their dependent children. In designing and revising the schedule of services, the administrator shall consider the guidelines for assessing health services under the mandated benefits act of 1984, RCW 48.47.030, and such other factors as the administrator deems appropriate.
     (2)(a) To design and implement a structure of periodic premiums due the administrator from subsidized enrollees that is based upon gross family income, giving appropriate consideration to family size and the ages of all family members. The enrollment of children shall not require the enrollment of their parent or parents who are eligible for the plan. The structure of periodic premiums shall be applied to subsidized enrollees entering the plan as individuals pursuant to subsection (((11))) (10) of this section and to the share of the cost of the plan due from subsidized enrollees entering the plan as employees pursuant to subsection (((12))) (11) of this section.
     (b) To determine the periodic premiums due the administrator from subsidized enrollees under RCW 70.47.020(((6))) (7)(b). Premiums due for foster parents with gross family income up to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level shall be set at the minimum premium amount charged to enrollees with income below sixty-five percent of the federal poverty level. Premiums due for foster parents with gross family income between two hundred percent and three hundred percent of the federal poverty level shall not exceed one hundred dollars per month.
     (c) To determine the periodic premiums due the administrator from nonsubsidized enrollees. Premiums due from nonsubsidized enrollees shall be in an amount equal to the cost charged by the managed health care system provider to the state for the plan plus the administrative cost of providing the plan to those enrollees and the premium tax under RCW 48.14.0201.
     (d) To determine the periodic premiums due the administrator from health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees. Premiums due from health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees must be in an amount equal to the cost charged by the managed health care system provider to the state for the plan, plus the administrative cost of providing the plan to those enrollees and the premium tax under RCW 48.14.0201. The administrator will consider the impact of eligibility determination by the appropriate federal agency designated by the Trade Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-210) as well as the premium collection and remittance activities by the United States internal revenue service when determining the administrative cost charged for health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees.
     (e) To determine periodic premiums due the administrator from economic recovery enrollees. Premiums due from economic recovery enrollees not treated as subsidized enrollees must be in an amount equal to the cost charged by the managed health care system provider to the state for the plan, plus the administrative cost of providing the plan to those enrollees and the premium tax under RCW 48.14.0201. If federal or private funds become available to subsidize the premiums due from economic recovery enrollees, the subsidies shall be applied to reduce the enrollee's premium obligation under this subsection.
     (f) An employer or other financial sponsor may, with the prior approval of the administrator, pay the premium, rate, or any other amount on behalf of a subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollee, by arrangement with the enrollee and through a mechanism acceptable to the administrator. A financial sponsor may, with the prior approval of the administrator, pay the premium, rate, or any other amount on behalf of an economic recovery enrollee, by arrangement with the enrollee and through a mechanism acceptable to the administrator. The administrator shall establish a mechanism for receiving premium payments from the United States internal revenue service for health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees.
     (((f))) (g) To develop, as an offering by every health carrier providing coverage identical to the basic health plan, as configured on January 1, 2001, a basic health plan model plan with uniformity in enrollee cost-sharing requirements.
     (3) ((To evaluate, with the cooperation of participating managed health care system providers, the impact on the basic health plan of enrolling health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees. The administrator shall issue to the appropriate committees of the legislature preliminary evaluations on June 1, 2005, and January 1, 2006, and a final evaluation by June 1, 2006. The evaluation shall address the number of persons enrolled, the duration of their enrollment, their utilization of covered services relative to other basic health plan enrollees, and the extent to which their enrollment contributed to any change in the cost of the basic health plan.
     (4))) To end the participation of health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees in the basic health plan if the federal government reduces or terminates premium payments on their behalf through the United States internal revenue service.
     (((5))) (4) To design and implement a structure of enrollee cost-sharing due a managed health care system from subsidized, nonsubsidized, economic recovery, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees. The structure shall discourage inappropriate enrollee utilization of health care services, and may utilize copayments, deductibles, and other cost-sharing mechanisms, but shall not be so costly to enrollees as to constitute a barrier to appropriate utilization of necessary health care services.
     (((6))) (5) To limit enrollment of persons who qualify for subsidies so as to prevent an overexpenditure of appropriations for such purposes. Whenever the administrator finds that there is danger of such an overexpenditure, the administrator shall close enrollment until the administrator finds the danger no longer exists. Such a closure does not apply to health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees who receive a premium subsidy from the United States internal revenue service as long as the enrollees qualify for the health coverage tax credit program.
     (((7))) (6) To limit the payment of subsidies to subsidized enrollees, as defined in RCW 70.47.020. The level of subsidy provided to persons who qualify may be based on the lowest cost plans, as defined by the administrator.
     (((8))) (7) To adopt a schedule for the orderly development of the delivery of services and availability of the plan to residents of the state, subject to the limitations contained in RCW 70.47.080 or any act appropriating funds for the plan.
     (((9))) (8) To solicit and accept applications from managed health care systems, as defined in this chapter, for inclusion as eligible basic health care providers under the plan for subsidized enrollees, nonsubsidized enrollees, or health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees. The administrator shall endeavor to assure that covered basic health care services are available to any enrollee of the plan from among a selection of two or more participating managed health care systems. In adopting any rules or procedures applicable to managed health care systems and in its dealings with such systems, the administrator shall consider and make suitable allowance for the need for health care services and the differences in local availability of health care resources, along with other resources, within and among the several areas of the state. Contracts with participating managed health care systems shall ensure that basic health plan enrollees who become eligible for medical assistance may, at their option, continue to receive services from their existing providers within the managed health care system if such providers have entered into provider agreements with the department of social and health services.
     (((10))) (9) To receive periodic premiums from or on behalf of subsidized, nonsubsidized, economic recovery, and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees, deposit them in the basic health plan operating account, keep records of enrollee status, and authorize periodic payments to managed health care systems on the basis of the number of enrollees participating in the respective managed health care systems.
     (((11))) (10) To accept applications from individuals residing in areas served by the plan, on behalf of themselves and their spouses and dependent children, for enrollment in the Washington basic health plan as subsidized, nonsubsidized, economic recovery, or health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees, to give priority to members of the Washington national guard and reserves who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or Operation Noble Eagle, and their spouses and dependents, for enrollment in the Washington basic health plan, to establish appropriate minimum-enrollment periods for enrollees as may be necessary, and to determine, upon application and on a reasonable schedule defined by the authority, or at the request of any enrollee, eligibility due to current gross family income for sliding scale premiums. Funds received by a family as part of participation in the adoption support program authorized under RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13.100 through 74.13.145 shall not be counted toward a family's current gross family income for the purposes of this chapter. When an enrollee fails to report income or income changes accurately, the administrator shall have the authority either to bill the enrollee for the amounts overpaid by the state or to impose civil penalties of up to two hundred percent of the amount of subsidy overpaid due to the enrollee incorrectly reporting income. The administrator shall adopt rules to define the appropriate application of these sanctions and the processes to implement the sanctions provided in this subsection, within available resources. No subsidy may be paid with respect to any enrollee whose current gross family income exceeds twice the federal poverty level or, subject to RCW 70.47.110, who is a recipient of medical assistance or medical care services under chapter 74.09 RCW. If a number of enrollees drop their enrollment for no apparent good cause, the administrator may establish appropriate rules or requirements that are applicable to such individuals before they will be allowed to reenroll in the plan.
     (((12))) (11) To accept applications from business owners on behalf of themselves and their employees, spouses, and dependent children, as subsidized or nonsubsidized enrollees, who reside in an area served by the plan. The administrator may require all or the substantial majority of the eligible employees of such businesses to enroll in the plan and establish those procedures necessary to facilitate the orderly enrollment of groups in the plan and into a managed health care system. The administrator may require that a business owner pay at least an amount equal to what the employee pays after the state pays its portion of the subsidized premium cost of the plan on behalf of each employee enrolled in the plan. Enrollment is limited to those not eligible for medicare who wish to enroll in the plan and choose to obtain the basic health care coverage and services from a managed care system participating in the plan. The administrator shall adjust the amount determined to be due on behalf of or from all such enrollees whenever the amount negotiated by the administrator with the participating managed health care system or systems is modified or the administrative cost of providing the plan to such enrollees changes.
     (((13))) (12) To determine the rate to be paid to each participating managed health care system in return for the provision of covered basic health care services to enrollees in the system. Although the schedule of covered basic health care services will be the same or actuarially equivalent for similar enrollees, the rates negotiated with participating managed health care systems may vary among the systems. In negotiating rates with participating systems, the administrator shall consider the characteristics of the populations served by the respective systems, economic circumstances of the local area, the need to conserve the resources of the basic health plan trust account, and other factors the administrator finds relevant.
     (((14))) (13) To monitor the provision of covered services to enrollees by participating managed health care systems in order to assure enrollee access to good quality basic health care, to require periodic data reports concerning the utilization of health care services rendered to enrollees in order to provide adequate information for evaluation, and to inspect the books and records of participating managed health care systems to assure compliance with the purposes of this chapter. In requiring reports from participating managed health care systems, including data on services rendered enrollees, the administrator shall endeavor to minimize costs, both to the managed health care systems and to the plan. The administrator shall coordinate any such reporting requirements with other state agencies, such as the insurance commissioner and the department of health, to minimize duplication of effort.
     (((15))) (14) To evaluate the effects this chapter has on private employer-based health care coverage and to take appropriate measures consistent with state and federal statutes that will discourage the reduction of such coverage in the state.
     (((16))) (15) To develop a program of proven preventive health measures and to integrate it into the plan wherever possible and consistent with this chapter.
     (((17))) (16) To provide, consistent with available funding, assistance for rural residents, underserved populations, and persons of color.
     (((18))) (17) In consultation with appropriate state and local government agencies, to establish criteria defining eligibility for persons confined or residing in government-operated institutions.
     (((19))) (18) To administer the premium discounts provided under RCW 48.41.200(3)(a) (i) and (ii) pursuant to a contract with the Washington state health insurance pool.
     (((20))) (19) To give priority in enrollment to persons who disenrolled from the program in order to enroll in medicaid, and subsequently became ineligible for medicaid coverage.

Sec. 5   RCW 70.47.100 and 2004 c 192 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A managed health care system participating in the plan shall do so by contract with the administrator and shall provide, directly or by contract with other health care providers, covered basic health care services to each enrollee covered by its contract with the administrator as long as payments from the administrator on behalf of the enrollee are current. A participating managed health care system may offer, without additional cost, health care benefits or services not included in the schedule of covered services under the plan. A participating managed health care system shall not give preference in enrollment to enrollees who accept such additional health care benefits or services. Managed health care systems participating in the plan shall not discriminate against any potential or current enrollee based upon health status, sex, race, ethnicity, or religion. The administrator may receive and act upon complaints from enrollees regarding failure to provide covered services or efforts to obtain payment, other than authorized copayments, for covered services directly from enrollees, but nothing in this chapter empowers the administrator to impose any sanctions under Title 18 RCW or any other professional or facility licensing statute.
     (2) The plan shall allow, at least annually, an opportunity for enrollees to transfer their enrollments among participating managed health care systems serving their respective areas. The administrator shall establish a period of at least twenty days in a given year when this opportunity is afforded enrollees, and in those areas served by more than one participating managed health care system the administrator shall endeavor to establish a uniform period for such opportunity. The plan shall allow enrollees to transfer their enrollment to another participating managed health care system at any time upon a showing of good cause for the transfer.
     (3) Prior to negotiating with any managed health care system, the administrator shall determine, on an actuarially sound basis, the reasonable cost of providing the schedule of basic health care services, expressed in terms of upper and lower limits, and recognizing variations in the cost of providing the services through the various systems and in different areas of the state. In determining the reasonable cost under this subsection, the administrator shall pool the claims experience of subsidized, health coverage tax credit eligible, and economic recovery enrollees.
     (4) In negotiating with managed health care systems for participation in the plan, the administrator shall adopt a uniform procedure that includes at least the following:
     (a) The administrator shall issue a request for proposals, including standards regarding the quality of services to be provided; financial integrity of the responding systems; and responsiveness to the unmet health care needs of the local communities or populations that may be served;
     (b) The administrator shall then review responsive proposals and may negotiate with respondents to the extent necessary to refine any proposals;
     (c) The administrator may then select one or more systems to provide the covered services within a local area; and
     (d) The administrator may adopt a policy that gives preference to respondents, such as nonprofit community health clinics, that have a history of providing quality health care services to low-income persons.
     (5) The administrator may contract with a managed health care system to provide covered basic health care services to subsidized enrollees, nonsubsidized enrollees, economic recovery enrollees, health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees, or any combination thereof; except that, in order to contract to provide covered basic health care services to subsidized enrollees, a managed health care system also must contract to provide such care to economic recovery and health coverage tax credit eligible enrollees.
     (6) The administrator may establish procedures and policies to further negotiate and contract with managed health care systems following completion of the request for proposal process in subsection (4) of this section, upon a determination by the administrator that it is necessary to provide access, as defined in the request for proposal documents, to covered basic health care services for enrollees.
     (7)(a) The administrator shall implement a self-funded or self-insured method of providing insurance coverage to subsidized enrollees, as provided under RCW 41.05.140, if one of the following conditions is met:
     (i) The authority determines that no managed health care system other than the authority is willing and able to provide access, as defined in the request for proposal documents, to covered basic health care services for all subsidized enrollees in an area; or
     (ii) The authority determines that no other managed health care system is willing to provide access, as defined in the request for proposal documents, for one hundred thirty-three percent of the statewide benchmark price or less, and the authority is able to offer such coverage at a price that is less than the lowest price at which any other managed health care system is willing to provide such access in an area.
     (b) The authority shall initiate steps to provide the coverage described in (a) of this subsection within ninety days of making its determination that the conditions for providing a self-funded or self-insured method of providing insurance have been met.
     (c) The administrator may not implement a self-funded or self-insured method of providing insurance in an area unless the administrator has received a certification from a member of the American academy of actuaries that the funding available in the basic health plan self-insurance reserve account is sufficient for the self-funded or self-insured risk assumed, or expected to be assumed, by the administrator.

Sec. 6   RCW 50.20.210 and 1987 1st ex.s. c 5 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commissioner shall notify any person filing a claim under this chapter who resides in a local area served by the Washington basic health plan of the availability of basic health care coverage to qualified enrollees in the Washington basic health plan under chapter 70.47 RCW, unless the Washington basic health plan administrator has notified the commissioner of a closure of enrollment in the area. The commissioner shall maintain a supply of Washington basic health plan enrollment application forms, which shall be provided in reasonably necessary quantities by the administrator, in each appropriate employment service office for the use of persons wishing to apply for enrollment in the Washington basic health plan.
     (2) During periods when the basic health plan serves economic recovery enrollees, as defined in RCW 70.47.020, the commissioner shall:
     (a) Notify any person filing a claim under this chapter of the availability of basic health care coverage for economic recovery enrollees; and
     (b) Provide separate notification of the availability of such coverage to persons receiving unemployment benefits and persons who have exhausted their benefits.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   This act takes effect January 1, 2010.