Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Balance Billing Protection Act established new requirements applicable to health carriers, hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities, laboratories and several types of health care providers that offer health care coverage or services in Washington state. An initial set of rules were effective in December 2019, prior to the new law going into effect. Due to implementation experience to date, revisions to the rules are needed to refine implementation processes and clarify terms related to several components of the new law. Such rules will facilitate implementation of the law by ensuring that all affected entities understand their rights and obligations under the law.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state department of health (DOH) and the office of the insurance commissioner (OIC) share responsibility for enforcement of violations of the balance billing prohibition. OIC has closely coordinated with DOH on implementation of these provisions and will continue to do so through this rule-making proceeding.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jane Beyer, P.O. Box 40260, Olympia, WA 98504-0260, phone 360-725-7043, fax 360-586-3109, TTY 360-586-0241, email rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov, website www.insurance.wa.gov.