Washington Expands Authority of Health Care Cost Transparency Board

Washington State has expanded the authority of its Health Care Cost Transparency Board, according to Northwest Health Law Advocates. Under its original duties, the Board may require data collection from payers and providers to annually calculate total health care expenditures and cost growth, establish a cost growth benchmark, and analyze the impact of cost drivers on health care spending. Washington passed legislation that expands the categories of data and cost drivers the Board may use in its analyses, and directs the Board to conduct a study of costs from nonprofit providers and payers not included in total health care expenditures. The Board may also require certain providers that frequently exceed the cost growth benchmark without reasonable justification submit a performance improvement plan or pay a civil fine.