Subject of Possible Rule Making: The commissioner will consider rules relating to grievance, review, and dispute resolution standards. Amendments to existing rules may include changes to clarify terminology, time-frames, and transitions between processes.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 48.18.120, 48.20.450, 48.20.460, 48.30.010, 48.43.055, 48.44.050, 48.46.100, 48.46.200, 48.43.520, 48.43.525, 48.43.530, 48.43.535.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The commissioner has been asked by interested parties to review the existing rules. He will consider amendments to provide clarity, increase the understanding and ease of use of the rules, address possible regulatory gaps, and provide additional certainty regarding how to comply with standards to the regulated community.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The federal Department of Labor has grievance standards that will be reviewed in this rule making. State agencies that purchase health services and are subject to the Health Care Patient Bill of Rights laws (chapter 5, Laws of 2000) will be asked to provide comments in the rule making.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and please send any comments regarding this rule to Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, fax (360) 664-2782, e-mail Kacyb@oic.wa.gov, by February 4, 2002.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, fax (360) 664-2782, e-mail Kacyb@oic.wa.gov.

December 6, 2001

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner

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