SB5555 forces insurance carriers to offer access to certified peer specialist services meeting network standards. Additionally, this legislation creates standards for certification for Peer Specialists.
The Washington State House of Representatives passed SB5555 on April 12, 2023 by a vote of 63 to 34. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is an expansion of government regulation in the healthcare industry. Requiring insurance carriers to offer specific services is interference in the free market and individual choice.