What the "Every Category" law means for you
- Health plans must allow every category of health care provider to provide health services included in the basic essential health benefits benchmark plan established by state law.
- You can choose from more medical providers.
- The law doesn't change what conditions your health plan covers.
- Health plans can limit the number of times you can see a medical provider for certain conditions.
- Managed care plans may require you to see a doctor they choose before referring you to another medical provider.
The law covers all medical providers. This includes massage therapists and chiropractors, whom the Washington State Department of Health licenses, registers or certifies.
Health plans this law doesn't cover
- Plans where the employer pays claims directly for employees (self-funded) or Union Trust plans
- Medicare Supplement plans
- Long-term care insurance
- Limited health plans, such as dental, vision, specific disease or accident-only coverage
- Workers’ compensation
- Disability income