(1)(a) A health carrier must use the database selected pursuant to RCW 48.165.035 to accept and manage credentialing applications from health care providers. A health carrier may not require a health care provider to submit credentialing information in any format other than through the database selected pursuant to RCW 48.165.035.

(b) Effective June 1, 2018, a health carrier shall make a determination approving or denying a credentialing application submitted to the carrier no later than ninety days after receiving a complete application from a health care provider.

(c) Effective June 1, 2020, a health carrier shall make a determination approving or denying a credentialing application submitted to the carrier no later than ninety days after receiving a complete application from a health care provider. All determinations made by a health carrier in approving or denying credentialing applications must average no more than sixty days.

(d) This section does not require health carriers to approve a credentialing application or to place providers into a network.

(2) This section does not apply to health care entities that utilize credentialing delegation arrangements in the credentialing of their health care providers with health carriers.

(3) For purposes of this section, "credentialing" means the collection, verification, and assessment of whether a health care provider meets relevant licensing, education, and training requirements.

(4) Nothing in this section creates an oversight or enforcement duty on behalf of the office of the insurance commissioner against a health carrier for failure to comply with the terms of this section.

Effective date—2016 c 123: "This act takes effect June 1, 2018." [ 2016 c 123 § 3.]