The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services has adopted changes to update and clarify rules for local government self-insurance health and welfare programs. The rules become effective Nov. 25.

Before adopting the updates, Enterprise Services held workshops on May 16 and 18 to seek input on draft rules, and held a 20-day formal public comment period, including a July 25 public hearing. Enterprise Services would like to thank everyone who provided input during the rulemaking process.

The updates are mainly clarification and "clean-up" to match state law. Solvency regulations and reserve requirements did not change with the update, and the rulemaking did not change fee structures or rates. Rulemaking was needed to:

• Reflect changes in the healthcare regulatory environment put in place over time;
• Reflect the 2011 transition of Risk Management from the Office of Financial Management to Enterprise Services;
• Clarify financial solvency standards and reporting requirements. Clearer rules can make it easier for local government-operated health care programs to understand the reporting process and comply with required due dates.

More information

• Information on this rulemaking process will be available for the next six months on the Enterprise Services rulemaking webpage.
• If you have questions specific to existing self-insurance rules, please contact Shannon Stuber, (360) 407-8153.

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