(1) In making a coverage determination, committee members shall review and consider evidence regarding the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of the technology as set forth in the health technology assessment. The committee also considers other information it deems relevant, including other information provided by the director, reports or testimony from an advisory group, and submissions or comments from the public.

(2) The committee shall give the greatest weight to the evidence determined, based on objective factors, to be the most valid and reliable, considering the nature and source of the evidence, the empirical characteristic of the studies or trials upon which the evidence is based, and the consistency of the outcome with comparable studies. The committee also considers additional evidentiary valuation factors such as recency, relevance, and bias.

(3) The committee also considers any unique impacts the health technology has on specific populations based on factors like sex, age, ethnicity, race, or disability, as identified in the health technology assessment.

(4) The committee provides an opportunity for public comment after the health technology assessment is published on the centralized, internet-based communication tool and before the committee's final coverage determination decision.

(5) After the committee makes a final coverage determination, the health technology assessment program publishes it on the centralized, internet-based communication tool and submits a notice in the Washington State Register.