Every issuer of a medicare supplement insurance policy or certificate providing coverage to a resident of this state issued on or after January 1, 1996, shall:

     (1) Unless otherwise provided for in RCW 48.66.055, issue coverage under its standardized benefit plans B, C, D, E, F, G, K, and L without evidence of insurability to any resident of this state who is eligible for both medicare hospital and physician services by reason of age or by reason of disability or end-stage renal disease, if the medicare supplement policy replaces another medicare supplement standardized benefit plan policy or certificate B, C, D, E, F, G, K, or L, or other more comprehensive coverage than the replacing policy;

     (2) Unless otherwise provided for in RCW 48.66.055, issue coverage under its standardized plans A, H, I, and J without evidence of insurability to any resident of this state who is eligible for both medicare hospital and physician services by reason of age or by reason of disability or end-stage renal disease, if the medicare supplement policy replaces another medicare supplement policy or certificate which is the same standardized plan as the replaced policy. After December 31, 2005, plans H, I, and J may be replaced only by the same plan if that plan has been modified to remove outpatient prescription drug coverage; and

     (3) Set rates only on a community-rated basis. Premiums shall be equal for all policyholders and certificate holders under a standardized medicare supplement benefit plan form, except that an issuer may vary premiums based on spousal discounts, frequency of payment, and method of payment including automatic deposit of premiums and may develop no more than two rating pools that distinguish between an insured's eligibility for medicare by reason of:

     (a) Age; or

     (b) Disability or end-stage renal disease.

[2005 c 41 § 4; 2004 c 83 § 1; 1999 c 334 § 1; 1995 c 85 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- 2005 c 41: See note following RCW 48.66.025.

Severability -- 2004 c 83: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2004 c 83 § 2.]

     Effective date -- 2004 c 83: "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 takes effect immediately [March 22, 2004]." [2004 c 83 § 3.]

     Effective date -- 1999 c 334: "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 takes effect immediately [May 14, 1999]." [1999 c 334 § 2.]