OIC Provides Second Prepublication Draft of Balance Billing Protection Act Rules. Comments due September 13

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has issued a second prepublication draft of rulemaking to implement E2SHB 1688. The proposal aligns portions of the state’s Balance Billing Protection Act with the federal No Surprises Act.  In response to WSHA’s concerns, the second prepublication draft includes changes to the definition of outpatient hospital department. We are currently evaluating the new draft to determine if additional changes need to be requested.
E2SHB 1688 also added balance billing protections for crisis behavioral health services to the BBPA and the rulemaking provides clarity regarding the responsibilities of the various parties.  Comments on the second draft are due September 13, which will likely be followed by a formal draft with a hearing and comment period. More information is on the OIC website. (Andrew Busz, AndrewB@wsha.org)