BILL REQ. #: S-2034.1

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SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5596
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State of Washington

60th Legislature

2007 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Benton, Kline, Poulsen, Keiser and Roach)

READ FIRST TIME 02/23/07.

AN ACT Relating to discrimination against chiropractors; and adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A health carrier may not develop and employ provider payment methodologies that discriminate against chiropractors by setting differing payment formulas for a chiropractor's services than for a different profession's services when the carrier is reimbursing for the same type of health care services. The carrier may not have a methodology that would pay chiropractors less than any other provider for the same payment code.
     (2) The provisions of this section apply to payment methodologies developed and employed on and after January 1, 2008.

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