WA HB2564

Washington Health Benefit Exchange gains authority to establish annual "market factor certification criteria" addressing access and affordability for health plans sold on the state exchange, beyond the existing 19 federal criteria from the Affordable Care Act

New criteria may evaluate whether health plans in each county are meaningfully different in cost-sharing, benefits, premiums, provider networks, and quality; offered by multiple carriers; and maximizing federal premium tax credits and state assistance

Detailed timeline established for plan year 2028 and beyond: preliminary criteria due December 15th (two years prior), final criteria published by March 1st (one year prior), with required public hearings and stakeholder consultation including carriers, tribes, and health care organizations

Carriers may request waivers from market factor criteria by demonstrating good faith efforts to comply, with the exchange evaluating impacts on premiums and Washington residents' interests before preliminary health plan filings

All carrier information submitted to the exchange under these requirements is exempt from public disclosure, and the act takes effect immediately as an emergency measure