Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1523
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring health plans to cover, with no cost sharing, all preventive services required to be covered under federal law as of December 31, 2016.
Sponsors: Representatives Robinson, Johnson, Cody, Harris, Pollet, Doglio, Appleton, Fitzgibbon, Tharinger, Farrell, McBride, Fey and Macri.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/7/17
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires health plans to cover the following preventive services with no cost sharing:
items or services with an "A" or "B" rating from the United States Preventive Services Task Force;
immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
preventive care and screenings for children recommended by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bright Futures Project; and
additional services supported by the HRSA.
Preventive services covered by this requirement include:
immunizations for certain diseases, including diphtheria, hepatitis, influenza, and measles;
autism screening for children aged 18-24 months;
blood pressure and cholesterol screenings;
screenings for certain diseases, including diabetes, colorectal cancer, and HIV; and
contraception for women (this requirement is limited under some circumstances by federal rule and Supreme Court precedent).
Summary of Bill:
A health plan must, at a minimum, provide coverage for the same preventive services required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and any federal rules or guidance in effect on December 31, 2016, implementing the PPACA's preventive services requirement. The health plan may not impose cost-sharing requirements for these preventive services. The Insurance Commissioner may, by rule, add preventive services to the requirement based on changes in federal law.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2017.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.