[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to child hearing screening; adding a new section to chapter 41.05 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.46 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 41.05 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, any policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, extended, or modified in this state by an insuring entity must provide that the health insurance benefits applicable under the health insurance policy must include coverage for initial screening and for any necessary audiologic diagnostic follow-up care related to the newborn hearing screening test.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if a health insurance policy provides coverage or benefits to a resident of this state, it shall be deemed to be delivered in this state within the meaning of this chapter regardless of whether the insuring entity issuing or delivering the policy is located within or outside this state.

(3) Benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test and any necessary audiologic follow-up care are subject to copayment and coinsurance provisions of a health insurance policy to the extent that other medical services covered by the policy are subject to those provisions, except that benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test are exempt from deductible or dollar limit provisions in the health insurance policy. This exemption must be explicitly provided for in the policy.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, this section shall not be construed to require a health insurance policy to include coverage for the newborn child hearing screening test for an individual who is a resident of this state if the individual is employed outside this state and the individual's employer maintains a health insurance policy for the individual as an employment benefit.

(5) This section applies to all policies issued under this chapter and delivered or issued for delivery on or after the effective date of this section. This section also applies to all renewals of contracts that are renewed on or after the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, any policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, extended, or modified in this state by an insurer must provide that the health insurance benefits applicable under the health insurance policy must include coverage for initial screening and for any necessary audiologic diagnostic follow-up care related to the newborn hearing screening test.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if a health insurance policy provides coverage or benefits to a resident of this state, it shall be deemed to be delivered in this state within the meaning of this chapter regardless of whether the insurer issuing or delivering the policy is located within or outside this state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, any health insurance contract that is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, extended, or modified in this state by any carrier must provide that the health insurance benefits applicable under the health insurance contract must include coverage for initial screening and for any necessary audiologic diagnostic follow-up care related to the newborn hearing screening test.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if a health insurance contract provides coverage or benefits to a resident of this state, it shall be deemed to be delivered in this state within the meaning of this chapter regardless of whether the health carrier issuing or delivering the policy is located within or outside this state.

(3) Benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test and any necessary audiologic follow-up care are subject to copayment and coinsurance provisions of a health insurance contract to the extent that other medical services covered by the contract are subject to those provisions, except that benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test are exempt from deductible or dollar limit provisions in the health insurance contract. This exemption must be explicitly provided for in the contract.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, this section shall not be construed to require a health insurance contract to include coverage for the newborn child hearing screening test for an individual who is a resident of this state if the individual is employed outside this state and the individual's employer maintains a health insurance contract for the individual as an employment benefit.

(5) This section applies to all contracts issued under any group master policy, delivered or issued for delivery on or after the effective date of this section. This section also applies to all renewals of contracts that are renewed on or after the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a health maintenance organization must include coverage for initial screening and for any necessary audiologic diagnostic follow-up care related to the newborn hearing screening test.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, if a health maintenance organization provides coverage or benefits to a resident of this state, it shall be deemed to be delivered in this state within the meaning of this chapter regardless of whether the health maintenance organization is located within or outside this state.

(3) Benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test and any necessary audiologic follow-up care are subject to copayment and coinsurance provisions of a health maintenance agreement to the extent that other medical services covered by the health maintenance agreement are subject to those provisions, except that benefits for the newborn child hearing screening test are exempt from deductible or dollar limit provisions in the health maintenance agreement. This exemption must be explicitly provided for in the health maintenance agreement.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, this section shall not be construed to require a health maintenance agreement to include coverage for the newborn child hearing screening test for an individual who is a resident of this state if the individual is employed outside this state and the individual's employer maintains a health insurance policy for the individual as an employment benefit.

(5) This section applies to all health maintenance agreements delivered or issued for delivery on or after the effective date of this section. This section also applies to all renewals of health maintenance agreements that are renewed on or after the effective date of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department must pay for the newborn/infant child hearing screening test, if the child is eligible for medical assistance as determined by state and federal law.

(2) The governor must ensure that any contract for the provision of medical assistance negotiated with a managed care organization as authorized by state law shall include payment for newborn/infant hearing screening testing and necessary audiologic follow-up care.