CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

                   SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1508

                   Chapter 253, Laws of 1993

                        53rd Legislature

                      1993 Regular Session

  PRESCRIPTION DRUGS‑-APPROVAL BY INSURER MAY NOT BE WITHDRAWN

                    EFFECTIVE DATE:  5/7/93

Passed by the House March 10, 1993   Yeas 97   Nays 0 BRIAN EBERSOLE Speaker of the        House of Representatives Passed by the Senate April 15, 1993   Yeas 45   Nays 0

CERTIFICATE I, Alan Thompson, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1508 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

JOEL PRITCHARD President of the Senate

ALAN THOMPSON                                Chief Clerk

Approved May 7, 1993 Place Style On Codes above, and Style Off Codes below.

FILED                             May 7, 1993 - 11:38 a.m.

MIKE LOWRY Governor of the State of Washington

Secretary of State                        State of Washington

                              _______________________________________________

                                             SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1508

                              _______________________________________________

                                                       Passed Legislature - 1993 Regular Session

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Representatives Zellinsky and Pruitt)

Read first time 02/17/93.

Regulating prescription claims for insurance coverage that were initially approved over the telephone or by other means.

          AN ACT Relating to prescription claims insurance coverage; adding a new section to chapter 48.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 48.44 RCW; adding a new chapter to 48.46 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that many health care insurance entities are initially approving claims as eligible under an identified program, over the telephone, but denying those same claims when they are submitted for payment.  The legislature finds this to be an untenable situation for the providers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 48.20 RCW to read as follows:

          Disability insurance companies who through an authorized representative have first approved, by any means, an individual prescription claim as eligible may not reject that claim at some later date.  Pharmacists or drug dispensing outlets who obtain preapproval of claims shall keep a written  record of the preapproval that consists of identification by name and telephone number of the person who approved the claim.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 48.21 RCW to read as follows:

          Group disability insurance companies who through an authorized representative have first approved, by any means, an individual prescription claim as eligible may not reject that claim at some later date.  Pharmacists or drug dispensing outlets who obtain preapproval of claims shall keep a written  record of the preapproval that consists of identification by name and telephone number of the person who approved the claim.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 48.44 RCW to read as follows:

          Health care service contractors who through an authorized representative have first approved, by any means, an individual prescription claim as eligible may not reject that claim at some later date.  Pharmacists or drug dispensing outlets who obtain preapproval of claims shall keep a written  record of the preapproval that consists of identification by name and telephone number of the person who approved the claim.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  A new section is added to chapter 48.46 RCW to read as follows:

          Health maintenance organizations who through an authorized representative have first approved, by any means, an individual prescription claim as eligible may not reject that claim at some later date.  Pharmacists or drug dispensing outlets who obtain preapproval of claims shall keep a written  record of the preapproval that consists of identification by name and telephone number of the person who approved the claim.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

          Passed the House March 10, 1993.

          Passed the Senate April 15, 1993.

Approved by the Governor May 7, 1993.

          Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 7, 1993.