HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5099

As Passed House ‑ Amended:

March 5, 2002

Title:  An act relating to the designation of licensed dental directors 2by carriers offering dental only coverage.

Brief Description:  Designating medical directors.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Winsley and Thibaudeau).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/21/02, 2/25/02 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House ‑ Amended: 3/5/02, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House)

$Health carriers that offer dental only coverage must designate a licensed dentist as dental director.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Schual‑Berke, Vice Chair; Campbell, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Ruderman and Skinner.

Staff:  Dave Knutson (786‑7146).

Background:

The Patient Bill of Rights requires health carriers to designate a medical director licensed to practice in this state.  Health carriers that offer dental only coverage to the public are not required to have a medical director licensed as a dentist in Washington.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Health carriers that offer dental only coverage must designate a dental director who is licensed as a dentist in Washington or in a state determined by the Dental Assurance Commission to have substantially equivalent licensing standards.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill should allow dentists licensed in other states to serve as a dental director if the state they are licensed in has substantially equivalent licensing standards to Washington.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Concerns) Nancy Wildermuth, Regence Blue Shield.