WA People
BILL · 2021–22 SESSION · LATEST VERSION E2SHB 1688

HB 1688: Out-of-network health care

Protecting consumers from charges for out-of-network health care services, by aligning state law and the federal no surprises act and addressing coverage of treatment for emergency conditions.

Summary

  • Expands the services covered by the balance billing prohibitions to include post-stabilization services and air ambulance services in alignment with federal law.
  • Expands the definition of emergency services to include post-stabilization services and emergency services provided by behavioral health emergency services providers.
  • Modifies the dispute resolution process for carriers, health care providers, and facilities for bills covered by the balance billing prohibitions.
  • Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report and any recommendations on how balance billing for ground ambulance services can be prevented and if ground ambulance services should be subject to the balance billing prohibitions.

From the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill Report (E2SHB 1688), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 263, Laws of 2022
  1. IntroducedJan 10, 2022
  2. Out of committeeFeb 7, 2022
  3. Passed HouseFeb 11, 2022
  4. Passed SenateMar 3, 2022
  5. GovernorMar 31, 2022
  6. LawMar 31, 2022
Prime sponsor
Eileen Cody (D-34)
Introduced
January 10, 2022 in the House
Last action
March 31, 2022
Session law
Chapter 263, Laws of 2022
Requested by
Other
Companion bill
SB 5618
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1688, SHB 1688, E2SHB 1688

AN ACT Relating to protecting consumers from charges for out-of-network health care services, by aligning state law and the federal no surprises act and addressing coverage of treatment for emergency conditions;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Eileen Cody (D-34)

32 co-sponsors (27 Democrats, 5 Republicans)

Joe Schmick R-9Mari Leavitt D-28Cindy Ryu D-32Jenny Graham R-6Jamila Taylor D-30Liz Berry D-36Dave Paul D-10Emily Wicks D-38Larry Springer D-45Mike Sells D-38Jessica Bateman D-22Javier Valdez D-46Lauren Davis D-32Carolyn Eslick R-39Roger Goodman D-45Mark Klicker R-16Nicole Macri D-43Bill Ramos D-5Tarra Simmons D-23Sharon Wylie D-49Lisa Callan D-5Pat Sullivan D-47Frank Chopp D-43Vandana Slatter D-48Steve Tharinger D-24My-Linh Thai D-41Gerry Pollet D-46Marcus Riccelli D-3Timm Ormsby D-3Michelle Valdez R-26Shelley Kloba D-1Noel Frame D-36

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 11, 2022
Version voted on: E2SHB 1688
67 Yea 30 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56001
Republican113000
How each member voted

Yea (67)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 3, 2022
Version voted on: E2SHB 1688
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29000
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 7, 2022
Version voted on: E2SHB 1688
88 Yea 10 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57000
Republican311000
How each member voted

Yea (88)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 3/31/2022. (E2SHB 1688)
  2. Chapter 263, 2022 Laws. (E2SHB 1688)
  3. Governor signed. (E2SHB 1688)
  4. President signed. (E2SHB 1688)
  5. Delivered to Governor. (E2SHB 1688)
  6. Speaker signed. (E2SHB 1688)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 88; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 0. (E2SHB 1688)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (E2SHB 1688)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (E2SHB 1688)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (E2SHB 1688)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (E2SHB 1688)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (E2SHB 1688)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (E2SHB 1688)
  14. WM - Majority; without recommendation. (E2SHB 1688)
  15. Referred to Ways & Means. (E2SHB 1688)
  16. And refer to Ways & Means. (E2SHB 1688)
  17. Minority; without recommendation. (E2SHB 1688)
  18. Minority; do not pass. (E2SHB 1688)
  19. HLTC - Majority; do pass. (E2SHB 1688)
  20. First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care. (E2SHB 1688)
  21. Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 30; absent, 0; excused, 1. (E2SHB 1688)
  22. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (E2SHB 1688)
  23. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (E2SHB 1688)
  24. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (E2SHB 1688)
  25. 2nd substitute bill substituted. (SHB 1688)
  26. 2nd substitute bill substituted.
  27. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (E2SHB 1688)
  28. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 1688)
  29. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  30. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (E2SHB 1688)
  31. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 1688)
  32. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  33. Minority; without recommendation. (E2SHB 1688)
  34. Minority; do not pass. (E2SHB 1688)
  35. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (E2SHB 1688)
  36. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1688)
  37. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1688)
  38. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 1688)
  39. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (SHB 1688)
  40. APP - Executive action taken by committee.
  41. Minority; without recommendation.
  42. Minority; do not pass.
  43. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  44. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1688)
  45. Referred to Appropriations.
  46. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1688)
  47. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1688)
  48. Minority; do not pass.
  49. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  50. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.
  51. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.
  52. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 1688 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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