Washington Revised Code Title 48. Insurance § 48.42.100. Women's health care services--Duties of health care carriers (Effective until July 1, 2022)

(1) For purposes of this section, health care carriers includes disability insurers regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, health care services contractors regulated under chapter 48.44 RCW, health maintenance organizations regulated under chapter 48.46 RCW, plans operating under the health care authority under chapter 41.05 RCW, the state health insurance pool operating under chapter 48.41 RCW, and insuring entities regulated under chapter 48.43 RCW.

(2) For purposes of this section and consistent with their lawful scopes of practice, types of health care practitioners that provide women's health care services shall include, but need not be limited by a health care carrier to, the following:  Any generally recognized medical specialty of practitioners licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW who provides women's health care services;  practitioners licensed under chapters 18.57A and 18.71A RCW when providing women's health care services;  midwives licensed under chapter 18.50 RCW;  and advanced registered nurse practitioner specialists in women's health and midwifery under chapter 18.79 RCW.

(3) For purposes of this section, women's health care services shall include, but need not be limited by a health care carrier to, the following:  Maternity care;  reproductive health services;  gynecological care;  general examination;  and preventive care as medically appropriate and medically appropriate follow-up visits for the services listed in this subsection.

(4) Health care carriers shall ensure that enrolled female patients have direct access to timely and appropriate covered women's health care services from the type of health care practitioner of their choice in accordance with subsection (5) of this section.