Committee hears data and debate on shifting timely‑payment rules to claim‑level deadlines
Hospitals and physician groups urged a move from percentage‑based standards to a 30‑day claim‑level rule, citing billions in late payments; insurers said the bill is one‑sided and raised concerns about high‑dollar claims and fraud prevention. Committee discussion highlighted potential technical fixes.
The full story
Senate Bill 5,845 would change Washington’s timely‑payment rules by requiring carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 calendar days, replacing the current percentage‑based standard that measures performance across claims. Greg Accinacio, committee staff, explained that beginning Jan. 1, 2027, carriers and plans for public employees would be required to pay or deny clean claims as soon as practicable and no later than 30 days after receipt. The bill also requires carriers to send written notice within 14 days for claims that are not clean, and to pay interest or penalties when timelines are missed, with exceptions for fraud, acts of God, bankruptcy, or labor disputes.
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