RCW 74.09.260 Excessive charges, payments—Penalties.

Any person, including any corporation, that knowingly:

(1) Charges, for any service provided to a patient under any medical care plan authorized under this chapter or other applicable law, money or other consideration at a rate in excess of the rates established by the department or authority, as appropriate; or

(2) Charges, solicits, accepts, or receives, in addition to any amount otherwise required to be paid under such plan, any gift, money, donation, or other consideration (other than a charitable, religious, or philanthropic contribution from an organization or from a person unrelated to the patient):

(a) As a precondition of admitting a patient to a hospital or nursing facility; or

(b) As a requirement for the patient's continued stay in such facility,

when the cost of the services provided therein to the patient is paid for, in whole or in part, under such plan, shall be guilty of a class C felony: PROVIDED, That the fine, if imposed, shall not be in an amount more than twenty-five thousand dollars, except as authorized by RCW 9A.20.030.

[ 2018 c 201 § 7013; 2011 1st sp.s. c 15 § 17; 1991 sp.s. c 8 § 7; 1979 ex.s. c 152 § 7.]

NOTES:

Findings—Intent—Effective date—2018 c 201: See notes following RCW 41.05.018.

Effective date—Findings—Intent—Report—Agency transfer—References to head of health care authority—Draft legislation—2011 1st sp.s. c 15: See notes following RCW 74.09.010.

Effective date—1991 sp.s. c 8: See note following RCW 18.51.050.