RCW 70.170.010 Intent. (1) The legislature finds and declares that there is a need for health care information that helps the general public understand health care issues and how they can be better consumers and that is useful to purchasers, payers, and providers in making health care choices and negotiating payments. It is the purpose […]
RCW 70.170.020 Definitions. As used in this chapter: (1) “Department” means department of health. (2) “Hospital” means any health care institution which is required to qualify for a license under RCW 70.41.020(8); or as a psychiatric hospital under chapter 71.12 RCW. (3) “Secretary” means secretary of health. (4) “Charity care” means medically necessary hospital health […]
RCW 70.170.050 Requested studies—Costs. The department shall have the authority to respond to requests of others for special studies or analysis. The department may require such sponsors to pay any or all of the reasonable costs associated with such requests that might be approved, but in no event may costs directly associated with any such […]
RCW 70.170.060 Charity care—Prohibited and required hospital practices and policies—Rules—Notice of charity care availability—Department to monitor and report. (1) No hospital or its medical staff shall adopt or maintain admission practices or policies which result in: (a) A significant reduction in the proportion of patients who have no third-party coverage and who are unable to […]
RCW 70.170.070 Penalties. (1) Every person who shall violate or knowingly aid and abet the violation of RCW * 70.170.060 (5) or (6), 70.170.080, or ** 70.170.100, or any valid orders or rules adopted pursuant to these sections, or who fails to perform any act which it is herein made his or her duty to […]
RCW 70.170.080 Assessments—Costs. The basic expenses for the hospital data collection and reporting activities of this chapter shall be financed by an assessment against hospitals of no more than four one-hundredths of one percent of each hospital’s gross operating costs, to be levied and collected from and after that date, upon which the similar assessment […]
RCW 70.170.090 Confidentiality. The department and any of its contractors or agents shall maintain the confidentiality of any information which may, in any manner, identify individual patients. [ 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 509.]
RCW 70.170.150 Enrollment study—Report to legislature. (Expires January 1, 2027.) (1) The office of the insurance commissioner, in consultation with the Washington health benefit exchange, shall study and analyze how increasing eligibility for charity care impacts enrollment in health plans with high deductibles over a four-year time period. (2) By November 1, 2026, the office […]
