Bill > HB1430

This bill addresses healthcare workforce shortages by requiring health carriers to reimburse advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) at the same rate as physicians for primary care and behavioral health services, starting January 1, 2026. The legislation aims to support healthcare access, particularly in underserved and rural communities, by ensuring equal compensation for equivalent services. Specifically, the bill prohibits health carriers from paying contracted physicians more through non-claims-based payments that are not also available to APRNs and PAs. The bill excludes health maintenance organization employees and requires the office of the insurance commissioner to collect and report data on reimbursement changes, including the number of healthcare providers affected and implementation costs. Key terms like "service area" are defined as the geographic region where a specific healthcare product is issued and rated. The bill's context is rooted in addressing healthcare workforce challenges emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of maintaining a sufficient number of healthcare providers across Washington state.