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

  • Requires health plans to cover the same preventive services required by federal law as of December 31, 2016.

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:

Preventive services covered by this requirement include:

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.