Washington SB5845: Health carrier payments

What the bill says

An act Relating to modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers; amending RCW 48.43.600; reenacting and amending RCW 41.05.017; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.

From the enrolled text:

AN ACT Relating to modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers; amending RCW 48.43.600; reenacting and amending RCW 41.05.017; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that timeliness of payment and administrative burden related to obtaining payment from health carriers are contributing factors to the financial vulnerability for health care providers and health care facilities and impact availability of care and delay the determination of cost sharing for patients. (2) It is the intent of the legislature to increase transparency and accountability for claims payment timeliness by updating payment standards to better reflect claims operations and provide an objective and quantifiable standard. NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 48.43 RCW to read as follows: (1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, for health care services provided to covered persons, a carrier shall pay or deny a claim from a provider or facility as soon as practical, but no later than 30 calendar days after the receipt of a clean claim by the carrier. (b) For claims that are not clean, within 21 calendar days of receipt of the claim, the carrier shall send remittance advice or other electronic notice to the provider or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Vandana Slatter (D) · primary sponsor
• Ron Muzzall (R)
• Mike Chapman (D)
• Paul Harris (R)
• Marcus Riccelli (D)
• Annette Cleveland (D)
• Robert Hasegawa (D)
• Deborah Krishnadasan (D)
• T'wina Nobles (D)
• Javier Valdez (D)

Latest actions

1. March 23, 2026: Effective date 6/11/2026*.
2. March 23, 2026: Chapter 158, 2026 Laws.
3. March 23, 2026: Governor signed.
4. March 12, 2026: Delivered to Governor.
5. March 11, 2026: Speaker signed.
6. March 10, 2026: President signed.
7. March 9, 2026: Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
8. March 9, 2026: Senate concurred in House amendments.
9. March 5, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.
10. March 5, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Votes

• Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 5, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Health Care & Wellness (March 2, 2026): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5845 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB5845?

SB5845 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Health carrier payments.

What does SB5845 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers; amending RCW 48.43.600; reenacting and amending RCW 41.05.017; adding a new section to chapter 48.43 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an effective date. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of SB5845?

Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026*. (March 23, 2026).

Who sponsored SB5845?

Vandana Slatter (D), with 9 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB5845?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5845&Year=2025