Bill > SB5291

This bill implements several recommendations of the long-term services and supports trust commission, with key provisions focused on improving the WA Cares program (Washington's long-term care insurance program) and establishing a framework for supplemental long-term care insurance. The bill makes several important changes, including: allowing out-of-state participants to continue their coverage under certain conditions, clarifying eligibility requirements for qualified individuals, establishing new rules for supplemental long-term care insurance policies, and creating consumer protections for these insurance products. Specifically, the bill allows out-of-state workers who have paid premiums for at least three years to continue participating in the program, defines new standards for supplemental long-term care insurance policies, requires insurance producers to complete specialized training, mandates consumer education about long-term care insurance, and establishes suitability standards for insurance sales. The bill also adds provisions for a potential pilot project to assess administrative processes and creates mechanisms for information sharing between the department of social and health services and insurance providers. The changes are designed to improve the flexibility, accessibility, and consumer protections of Washington's long-term care insurance program.