This bill aims to address health care workforce shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by mandating that health carriers reimburse advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) at the same rate as physicians for the same services. The legislation recognizes the critical need for maintaining a sufficient number of health care providers, particularly in underserved and rural areas, and seeks to ensure equitable compensation among these practitioners.

Specifically, the bill introduces a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW, which stipulates that for health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, health carriers cannot reimburse APRNs or PAs less than what they would pay physicians for the same service in the same service area. It also prohibits health carriers from reducing physician reimbursement rates to comply with this requirement. Additionally, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner is tasked with collecting data on the implementation of this section and reporting on various metrics related to reimbursement changes by July 1, 2027. Notably, the provisions do not apply to APRNs or PAs employed by health maintenance organizations.