WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

70.250.020 - Work group -- Members -- Duties -- Report -- Expiration of work group.

Work group — Members — Duties — Report — Expiration of work group.

(1) Consistent with the authority granted in RCW 41.05.013, the authority shall convene a work group to analyze and identify evidence-based best practice guidelines or protocols applicable to advanced diagnostic imaging services and any decision support tools available to implement the guidelines or protocols.

     (2) The administrator of the authority shall appoint work group members, including at least:

     (a) One member of the authority's health technology clinical committee;

     (b) One representative of the Washington state medical association;

     (c) One representative of the Washington state radiological society;

     (d) One representative of the Puget Sound health alliance;

     (e) One representative of the Washington health care forum;

     (f) One representative of the Washington state hospital association;

     (g) One representative of health carriers as defined in chapter 48.43 RCW; and

     (h) One representative of each public purchaser.

     (3) The work group shall:

     (a) No later than July 1, 2009, identify evidence-based best practice guidelines or protocols and decision support tools applicable to advanced diagnostic imaging services to be implemented by all state purchased health care programs, except for state purchased health care services that are purchased from or through health carriers as defined in RCW 48.43.005. When identifying the guidelines or protocols, the work group may consult with organizations such as the Minnesota institute for clinical systems improvement; and

     (b) Explore the feasibility of using the guidelines or protocols for state purchased health care services that are purchased from or through health carriers and all payors in the state by January 1, 2011, for the reimbursement of advanced diagnostic imaging services.

     (4) The work group may solicit such federal or private funds and in-kind contributions as may be necessary to complete its work in a timely fashion. However, no member of the work group shall be compensated for his or her service.

     (5) The work group shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than July 1, 2009.

     (6) The work group shall cease to exist on July 1, 2010.