WSR 98-07-063
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
[Insurance Commissioner Matter No. R 98-6--Filed March 17, 1998, 12:00 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Pharmacy benefits standards
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 48.44.050, and 48.46.200
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The pharmacy benefits of health plans have been the subject of complaints to the commissioner. Some consumers are uncertain of the advantages and limitations of the plans they have purchased. The commissioner will evaluate the current regulatory scheme to determine if the subject would be better served by an alternative method of regulation. One of the areas that will be considered is if expanded and strengthened disclosure would benefit and protect the consumer. This would improve the consumer's ability to understand the benefits provided by a plan and compare those benefits to benefits provided by other plans
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; written comments are solicited. Please send comments to: Kacy Brandeberry, P.O. Box 40256, Olympia, WA 98504-0256, FAX (360) 407-0186, Internet KacyB@oic.wa.gov
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kacy Brandeberry, P.O. Box 40256, Olympia, WA 98504-0256, phone (360) 407-0729, FAX (360) 407-0186, Internet KacyB@oic.wa.gov
March 17, 1998
Ed Fleisher
Deputy Insurance Commissioner