This bill amends existing law (RCW 48.43.195) to require that, for health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 that include coverage for contraceptive drugs, the plan reimburse for a 12-month supply of FDA‑approved contraceptive drugs when obtained at one time by the enrollee, unless the enrollee or prescribing provider requests or instructs a smaller supply. It also requires plans to allow enrollees to receive contraceptive drugs on-site at the provider’s office if that option is available, and requires any plan dispensing practices to follow clinical guidelines to protect patient health while maximizing access. The amendment permits a plan to limit refills obtainable in the last quarter of the plan year if a 12‑month supply has already been dispensed that year. The text defines “contraceptive drugs” as FDA‑approved drugs used to prevent pregnancy, including hormonal drugs administered orally, transdermally, and intravaginally. This is a modification of existing statutory coverage rules (a procedural and coverage requirement change), not a new criminal provision or a change in penalties. The act takes effect January 1, 2026. Affected parties identified in the text include health benefit plans covered by the amendment, enrollees, prescribing providers, and provider offices. The bill was prefiled December 18, 2024, read first on January 13, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Health Care & Wellness. The extracted text does not define the term “health benefit plan” or specify which types of plans (for example, group, individual, or public programs) are covered. The text also does not include enforcement mechanisms, penalties, administrative procedures, cost‑sharing details, reimbursement rates, billing procedures, or how this change interacts with other coverage requirements or prior law beyond referencing RCW 48.43.195 and prior amendments.

If enacted, people with health plans that cover contraceptive drugs will be able to get a year’s supply at once and can receive contraception directly at their provider’s office when the office offers it, which should reduce the need for monthly refills and extra trips to the pharmacy. Insurers will have to change their reimbursement and dispensing rules to allow one-time dispensing of up to 12 months (unless the patient or prescriber asks for less), and they must follow clinical prescribing guidelines; they may still restrict late-year refills if a full year was already provided. The groups most affected are private health plans, prescribing clinicians, and clinic offices that may start dispensing on-site, plus enrollees who will have easier access and fewer refills to manage. The bill creates likely operational and billing changes for insurers and providers and could shift when costs are paid, but the text does not say which specific types of plans are covered, how patient cost-sharing or reimbursement rates will be handled, or how compliance will be enforced, so the exact financial and administrative impacts remain unclear.