For the purposes of this chapter:

     (1) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

     (2) "Health insurance coverage" includes any policy, contract, or agreement under which health care items or services are provided, arranged, reimbursed, or paid for by a health insurer.

     (3) "Health insurer" means any party that is, by statute, policy, contract, or agreement, legally responsible for payment of a claim for a health care item or service, including, but not limited to, a commercial insurance company providing disability insurance under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, a health care service contractor providing health care coverage under chapter 48.44 RCW, a health maintenance organization providing comprehensive health care services under chapter 48.46 RCW, an employer or union self-insured plan, any private insurer, a group health plan, a service benefit plan, a managed care organization, a pharmacy benefit manager, and a third party administrator.

     (4) "Computerized" means on-line or batch processing with standardized format via magnetic tape output.

     (5) "Joint beneficiary" is an individual who has health insurance coverage and is a recipient of public assistance benefits under chapter 74.09 RCW.

[2007 c 179 § 2; 1993 c 10 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2007 c 179: See note following RCW 74.09A.005.