(1) It is an unfair or deceptive practice for a health carrier to initiate, with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice, arbitration under RCW 48.49.040 with respect to claims submitted by out-of-network providers for services included in RCW 48.49.020 that request payment of a commercially reasonable amount, based on payments for the same or similar services provided in a similar geographic area.

(2) As used in this section, "health carrier" has the same meaning as in RCW 48.43.005.

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2019 c 427: See RCW 48.49.003 and 48.49.900.