Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Women's Direct Access

Women in Washington state have the right to timely and appropriate health care services, such as maternity care, gynecological care, general exams, and preventive care.

State law requires health plans to allow female patients access to an adequate network of women’s health care providers - including licensed specialy doctors and registered nurse practioner specialists in women's heatlh and midwifery - without first having to see a "gatekeeper" or primary care doctor.

Under the Women's Direct Access law, your health insurer must:

  • Tell you about women’s medical services and include the specific medical services in its benefit book that are considered women's health care services.
  • Remove any barriers to prevent you from seeing a provider or getting medical care. And they cannot create unnecessary obstacles or unusual referral procedures to prevent you from making a reasonable choice of a provider or health care services. This includes demanding special fees or copayments from women.
  • Provide you with an adequate list of providers and allow you to choose a health provider from the full list of participating women’s health care providers contracted with them. The list cannot indirectly limit your choice by including inadequate numbers or incomplete types of health care specialties.


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