FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1067
C 121 L 89
BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Brooks, Day and P. King; by request of Insurance Commissioner)
Making technical changes in the state Health Insurance Coverage Access Act.
House Committe on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections
SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED
BACKGROUND:
The Washington State Health Insurance Access Pool was created in 1987 to provide health insurance for persons who are denied adequate coverage because of poor health or because cost of coverage would be prohibitive. The Insurance Commissioner requested several amendments to the act to improve the operations of the pool.
SUMMARY:
A definition of "accounting year" is added to the Washington State Health Insurance Access Pool statute to provide flexibility to the Access Pool's governing board. The board is expanded from nine to 11 members when self-insured organizations become eligible to participate in the pool. The board's reporting requirement is changed from March 1 to 120 days after the end of each accounting year to coincide with insurance practices.
The commencement of the "administrator role" bidding process is changed from one year to six months prior to the expiration of the administrator's term. The period for selection of the administrator is reduced from six months to three months to expedite the process. Out-of-state insurers are permitted to bid.
The time limitation of four years on pool member abatement or deferment responsibility is deleted. Pool member debt will continue until paid. The board is permitted to waive the requirement that applicants be rejected for other coverage prior to enrollment. Enrollee participation payments are set on a calendar, not policy, year basis.
Medicare supplement provisions are clarified. Liability protection is extended to members of the pool's board of directors.
VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:
House 95 0
Senate 44 0
EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989