Section 70.41.326. Discharge planning—Construction—Liability.

Nothing in RCW 70.41.322 may be construed to:

(1) Interfere with the rights or duties of an agent operating under a valid health care directive under RCW 70.122.030;

(2) Interfere with designations made by a patient pursuant to a physician order for life-sustaining treatment under RCW 43.70.480;

(3) Interfere with the rights or duties of an authorized surrogate decision maker under RCW 7.70.065;

(4) Establish a new requirement to reimburse or otherwise pay for services performed by the lay caregiver for aftercare;

(5) Create a private right of action against a hospital or any of its directors, trustees, officers, employees, or agents, or any contractors with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship;

(6) Hold liable, in any way, a hospital, hospital employee, or any consultants or contractors with whom the hospital has a contractual relationship for the services rendered or not rendered by the lay caregiver to the patient at the patient's residence;

(7) Obligate a designated lay caregiver to perform any aftercare tasks for any patient;

(8) Require a patient to designate any individual as a lay caregiver as defined in RCW 70.41.020;

(9) Obviate the obligation of a health carrier as defined in RCW 48.43.005 or any other entity issuing health benefit plans to provide coverage required under a health benefit plan; and

(10) Impact, impede, or otherwise disrupt or reduce the reimbursement obligations of a health carrier or any other entity issuing health benefit plans.

[ 2016 c 226 § 4.]

2016 c 226 § 4.