H-216                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1268

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Prentice, Vekich, Cole, Wang and Leonard

Read first time 1/20/89 and referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

AN ACT Relating to payment of medical expenses by self-insurers; and adding a new section to chapter 51.14 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 51.14 RCW to read as follows:

          Any charges for medical services rendered by health care providers to employees of the self-insurer in connection with conditions or injuries under this chapter that are not paid by the self-insurer within sixty days of billing shall be subject to interest at the maximum applicable rate prescribed under RCW 19.52.020.  The self-insurer shall also be liable for costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in collecting the unpaid charges and interest.