# WAC 284-170-131: WAC 284-170-131. Definitions applicable to RCW 48.43.732

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_131

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 284-170-131
- **Heading:** WAC 284-170-131. Definitions applicable to RCW 48.43.732
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 284 / Chapter 284-170 / Section 284-170-131

## Text

The following definitions apply only to RCW 48.43.732 and WAC 284-170-441 , 284-170-445 , and 284-170-447 .
(1) "Cause to be made" means initiating, arranging, or directing another entity to make a public statement defined in this section.
(2) "Control" including the terms "controlled by" and "common control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a health care provider or health care facility, such as through ownership of voting securities, membership rights, or by contract.
(3) "Health care provider" and "health care facility" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005 .
(4) "Notices" mean letters or other written notifications sent directly to enrollees, by physical mail or electronically, including communicating through enrollees' electronic health records or portals, regarding expiring or terminating provider contracts described in RCW 48.43.732 .
(5) "Otherwise affiliated with" or "affiliated with" means:
(a) A health care provider that directly, indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by or is under common control or ownership with a facility; or
(b) A health care provider that operates all or a substantial part of the health care services or property of a facility under a lease, management, or operating agreement.
(6) "Provider contract" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.732 .
(7) "Public statement" means written or verbal communication, whether made electronically, orally, or through physical documents, by health care providers, health care facilities, carriers, or health care providers employed by, contracted with, or otherwise affiliated with a health care facility:
(a) Made to health plan enrollees or patients; or
" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.732 .
(7) "Public statement" means written or verbal communication, whether made electronically, orally, or through physical documents, by health care providers, health care facilities, carriers, or health care providers employed by, contracted with, or otherwise affiliated with a health care facility:
(a) Made to health plan enrollees or patients; or
(b) Made accessible to the public.
"Public statement" includes, but is not limited to, notices, press releases, opinion articles such as op-eds, web pages, emails, social media posts, letters, communication through electronic health records, and individual verbal, written, or electronic communications. "Public statement" does not include communications that are internally shared within a carrier, health care facility, or health care provider organization exclusively for business planning purposes.
(8) "Specific legal obligation" and "legal obligation" means a statutory, regulatory, judicial, or other legal requirement obligating a carrier, health care provider, or health care facility to take a specific action.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 284-170-110 WAC 284-170-110. Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_110.md)
- [WAC 284-170-120 WAC 284-170-120. Applicability and scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_120.md)
- [WAC 284-170-125 WAC 284-170-125. Compliance with state and federal laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_125.md)
- [WAC 284-170-130 WAC 284-170-130. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_130.md)
- [WAC 284-170-131 WAC 284-170-131. Definitions applicable to RCW 48.43.732 ](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_131.md)
- [WAC 284-170-200 WAC 284-170-200. Network access — General standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_200.md)
- [WAC 284-170-205 WAC 284-170-205. Behavioral health emergency services provider contracting](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_205.md)
- [WAC 284-170-210 WAC 284-170-210. Alternate access delivery request](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_210.md)
- [WAC 284-170-220 WAC 284-170-220. Amended alternate access delivery request for services subject to the Balance Billing Protection Act](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_220.md)
- [WAC 284-170-230 WAC 284-170-230. Maintenance of sufficient provider networks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_230.md)
- [WAC 284-170-240 WAC 284-170-240. Use of subcontracted networks](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_240.md)
- [WAC 284-170-260 WAC 284-170-260. Provider directories](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_260.md)
- [WAC 284-170-270 WAC 284-170-270. Every category of health care providers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_270.md)
- [WAC 284-170-280 WAC 284-170-280. Network reports — Format](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_280.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_284_170_131. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.