Bill > HB1291

This bill addresses cost sharing for maternity services by establishing new requirements for health insurance plans. Starting January 1, 2026, health plans that provide labor and delivery services will no longer be allowed to apply these services toward an enrollee's deductible. Instead, any cost-sharing payments made by the enrollee for labor and delivery services must be applied to their deductible obligation. For health plans that are compatible with health savings accounts (HSAs), the bill requires health carriers to set the deductible for labor and delivery services at the minimum level necessary to maintain the enrollee's ability to make tax-exempt contributions to their HSA, as defined by Internal Revenue Service regulations. The bill also amends existing law to include these new provisions and gives the office of the insurance commissioner the authority to adopt rules to implement these changes. The goal appears to be to reduce out-of-pocket costs for maternity services and make such services more financially accessible for patients.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1291&Year=2025&Initiative=false