(1) The purpose of this subchapter is to establish uniform regulatory standards for required coverage of contraceptive services and other reproductive health services and supplies, voluntary sterilization, and abortion under RCW 48.43.072 and 48.43.073.

(2) This subchapter applies to all health plans, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subchapter. Health carriers are responsible for compliance with the provisions of this subchapter and are responsible for the compliance of any person or organization acting on behalf of or at the direction of the carrier, or acting pursuant to carrier standards or requirements concerning the coverage of, payment for, or provision of contraceptive services and supplies, voluntary sterilization, and abortion. A carrier may not offer as a defense to a violation of any provision of this subchapter that the violation arose from the act or omission of a participating provider or facility, network administrator, claims administrator, or other person acting on behalf of or at the direction of the carrier, or acting pursuant to carrier standards or requirements under a contract with the carrier rather than from the direct act or omission of the carrier.

(3) Effective January 1, 2021, except as otherwise provided, this subchapter applies to all student health plans deemed by the insurance commissioner to have a short-term limited purpose or duration, including short-term limited purpose student health plans and guaranteed renewable plans while the covered person is an enrolled student as a regular full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited higher education institution.