HB 1608 - DIGEST

     Provides that, beginning January 1, 1998, no medicare supplemental insurance policy or certificate providing coverage to any Washington resident may be issued if it denies or conditions the effectiveness of coverage during the first twelve months after the insured was first covered by a policy or plan of a health maintenance organization, health care service contractor, or other direct service organization that provides benefits or services under a contract or agreement issued pursuant to section 1876 or section 1833 of the federal social security act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1395 et seq.).