(1) This section applies to provider contracts as set forth in RCW 48.43.732 that are expiring by their own terms or for which one party has given notice to the other party of an intended termination without cause in accordance with the terms of the provider contracts.

(2) By December 1, 2025, the commissioner shall develop and publish standard enrollee/patient notice templates. The standard enrollee/patient notice templates will be posted on the public website of the office of the insurance commissioner by December 1, 2025. The commissioner may modify the templates periodically, as determined necessary.

(a) Beginning January 1, 2026, all notices sent to enrollees and patients under this section must either:

(i) Solely utilize the standard template language posted on the website of the office of the insurance commissioner under this section, with no modifications to the text of the template other than to insert the specific information required in the bracketed sections of the template. Notices complying with this subsection may be sent to enrollees and patients without the commissioner's review or prior approval; or

(ii) For notices that do not solely utilize the standard template as described in this section, receive the commissioner's prior approval before the notices are sent to enrollees. In determining whether to approve or deny proposed notices, the commissioner may consider, but is not limited to, consideration of: Whether the notices contain the minimum information required by RCW 48.43.732(4); whether the notices clearly inform the enrollee of their options and rights to access health care services; whether the notices are generally consistent with the standard template language under this section; and whether the notices make any statements related to the intent or conduct of the other party to the contract dispute.

(b) The commissioner shall develop a process by which carriers, health care providers, and facilities may submit proposed notices to the commissioner under the circumstances described in (a)(ii) of this subsection. Instructions for this process will be posted on the website of the office of the insurance commissioner on or before January 1, 2026. Carriers, health care providers, and facilities must submit proposed notices to the commissioner a minimum of 14 business days in advance of the date they intend to deliver such notice to the enrollee/patient.

(3) Carriers, health care providers, and health care facilities may send enrollees and patients the notices described in this section electronically rather than by physical mail if the enrollee or patient has consented to receive electronic communications.

(4) Notifications to enrollees/patients that the contract termination is no longer applicable, such as a rescission of the contract termination, are not subject to the requirements of this section.

(5) This section does not apply to expirations or terminations that are:

(a) For cause;

(b) Due to the death of a provider;

(c) Due to the permanent closure of a health care facility or the practice of a health care provider;

(d) Due to the retirement of a health care provider.