(1) The legislature finds that the basic health plan
has been an effective program in providing health coverage for
uninsured residents. Further, since 1993, substantial amounts of
public funds have been allocated for subsidized basic health plan
enrollment.
(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the basic
health plan enrollment be expanded expeditiously, consistent with
funds available in the health services account, with the goal of
two hundred thousand adult subsidized basic health plan enrollees
and one hundred thirty thousand children covered through expanded
medical assistance services by June 30, 1997, with the priority
of providing needed health services to children in conjunction
with other public programs.
(3) Effective January 1, 1996, basic health plan enrollees
whose income is less than one hundred twenty-five percent of the
federal poverty level shall pay at least a ten-dollar premium
share.
(4) No later than July 1, 1996, the administrator shall
implement procedures whereby hospitals licensed under chapters 70.41 and 71.12 RCW, health carrier, rural health care facilities
regulated under chapter 70.175 RCW, and community and migrant
health centers funded under RCW 41.05.220, may expeditiously
assist patients and their families in applying for basic health
plan or medical assistance coverage, and in submitting such
applications directly to the health care authority or the
department of social and health services. The health care
authority and the department of social and health services shall
make every effort to simplify and expedite the application and
enrollment process.
(5) No later than July 1, 1996, the administrator shall
implement procedures whereby health insurance *agents and
brokers, licensed under chapter 48.17 RCW, may expeditiously
assist patients and their families in applying for basic health
plan or medical assistance coverage, and in submitting such
applications directly to the health care authority or the
department of social and health services. Brokers and agents may
receive a commission for each individual sale of the basic health
plan to anyone not signed up within the previous five years and a
commission for each group sale of the basic health plan, if
funding for this purpose is provided in a specific appropriation
to the health care authority. No commission shall be provided
upon a renewal. Commissions shall be determined based on the
estimated annual cost of the basic health plan, however,
commissions shall not result in a reduction in the premium amount
paid to health carriers. For purposes of this section "health
carrier" is as defined in RCW 48.43.005. The administrator may
establish: (a) Minimum educational requirements that must be
completed by the agents or brokers; (b) an appointment process
for agents or brokers marketing the basic health plan; or (c)
standards for revocation of the appointment of an agent or broker
to submit applications for cause, including untrustworthy or
incompetent conduct or harm to the public. The health care
authority and the department of social and health services shall
make every effort to simplify and expedite the application and
enrollment process.
[1997 c 337 § 1; 1995 c 265 § 1.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: 2007 c 117 replaced the terms "agent" and "broker" with the term "producer," effective July 1, 2009.
Effective date -- 1997 c 337 §§ 1 and 2: "Sections 1 and 2 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 1997." [1997 c 337 § 9.]
Captions not law -- 1995 c 265: "Captions as used in this act constitute no part of the law." [1995 c 265 § 29.]
Effective date -- 1995 c 265: "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 July 1, 1995, except that sections 13 through 18 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1996." [1995 c 265 § 30.]
Savings -- 1995 c 265: "This act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under those sections." [1995 c 265 § 31.]
Severability -- 1995 c 265: "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." [1995 c 265 § 32.]