2023 WSMA Regulatory Priorities
Bills that are signed into law often require
rulemaking for implementation. Your policy team monitors and engages on rules impacting the house of
medicine. While this work often takes place during the interim months (the
months outside of the state legislative session), a number of rulemakings
are still in progress.
HB = House Bill; SB = Senate Bill
Rulemakings In Progress
Balance billing reconciliation
HB 1688, which seeks to align Washington state’s Balance Billing
Protection Act with the federal No Surprises Act.
Naturopaths and non-surgical cosmetic procedures
Rulemaking is set to expand naturopaths’ scope of practice to include
nonsurgical cosmetic procedures – specifically the use of botulinum toxin
– without stipulating additional education requirements or training.
Audio-only telemedicine
Rulemaking that redefines what constitutes an “established relationship”
for the purposes of insurance coverage for audio-only telemedicine
services.
Confidentiality and the Washington Physicians Health Program
SB 5496, which modernizes language pertaining to the Washington Physicians
Health Program to ensure confidentiality for those who access the program
for reasons outside of substance use disorder.
Prescription drug affordability
SB 5532: Establishes a prescription drug affordability board at the Health
Care Authority.
Rulemakings Concluded
The WSMA’s policy department worked on a number of rulemakings that
wrapped up in 2022.
Suicide prevention
HB 1477: Rulemaking was initiated to adopt reporting requirements
regarding access to next- day services to ensure enrollees are receiving
vital services for the prevention of suicide.
Health equity continuing education
SB 5229: Rulemaking was required to create model rules establishing
minimum standards for health equity continuing education programs for
health professions licensed under Title 18 RCW.
Medical assistants
HB 1378: Rulemaking addressed seven sections of medical assistant rules,
including supervision requirements.
International medical graduates
SB 6551: Rulemaking was initiated to create an exceptional qualification
waiver for international medical graduates pursuing a full medical
license, as well as the creation of a time-limited clinical experience
license.
Ambient heat exposure
This rulemaking updated the regulations on occupational health exposure
hazards from high ambient temperatures in all industries, including
outdoor and indoor exposures.
WSMA Member Support Available
Do you have questions about how changes from the state legislative session
will apply to your practice? Are you frustrated by administrative burden
or a particular state or federal regulation? The WSMA Policy Department is
here to help. As a WSMA member, you have access to policy experts who can
assist with your questions and provide information on the latest health
care policies and proposals. Your questions and feedback help us shape our
policy agenda in partnership with the House of Delegates, our legislative
team, and state and federal agencies, and may lead to direct WSMA-led
action before the state to address issues facing physicians.
We need to hear from you! Reach out to us with your questions and ideas at
policy@wsma.org.