Contraceptive coverage

AN ACT Relating to contraceptive coverage; amending RCW 1
48.43.195; and providing an effective date. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
Sec. 1. RCW 48.43.195 and 2017 c 293 s 2 are each amended to 4
read as follows: 5
(1) A health benefit plan issued or renewed on or after January 6
1, ((2018)) 2026, that includes coverage for contraceptive drugs must 7
provide reimbursement for a ((twelve-month refill )) 12-month supply 8
of contraceptive drugs obtained at one time by the enrollee, unless 9
the enrollee requests a smaller supply or the prescribing provider 10
instructs that the enrollee must receive a smaller supply. The health 11
plan must allow enrollees to receive the contraceptive drugs on-site 12
at the provider's office, if available. Any dispensing practices 13
required by the plan must follow clinical guidelines for appropriate 14
prescribing and dispensing to ensure the health of the patient while 15
maximizing access to effective contraceptive drugs.16
(2) Nothing in this section prohibits a health plan from limiting 17
refills that may be obtained in the last quarter of the plan year if 18
a ((twelve-month)) 12-month supply of the contraceptive drug has 19
already been dispensed during the plan year. 20
S-0838.1
SENATE BILL 5498
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senators Alvarado, Slatter, Bateman, Cleveland, Frame, Liias,
Lovelett, Nobles, Pedersen, Saldaña, Salomon, Stanford, Trudeau,
Valdez, and C. Wilson
Read first time 01/27/25. Referred to Committee on Health & Long-
Term Care.
p. 1 SB 5498
(3) For purposes of this section, "contraceptive drugs" means all 1
drugs approved by the United States food and drug administration that 2
are used to prevent pregnancy, including, but not limited to, 3
hormonal drugs administered orally, transdermally, and 4
intravaginally. 5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect January 1, 2026.6
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p. 2 SB 5498