State guide · WA ·
Dispute a medical bill in Washington.
Washington gives you stronger protections than federal law alone. Audra audits your bill against Washington Balance Billing Protection Act (RCW 48.49), the federal No Surprises Act, and your insurer's contracted rates — then drafts a ready-to-send appeal letter in 60 seconds.
The law
Washington Balance Billing Protection Act (RCW 48.49)
Cite: RCW 48.49 (Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1065 of 2019)
Washington's Balance Billing Protection Act is one of the stronger pre-NSA state laws. It prohibits balance billing for emergency services and out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, with arbitration between insurer and provider.
Your rights
What Washington protects you from.
- 01
Patients pay only in-network cost-sharing for emergency + in-network-facility out-of-network services.
- 02
OIC administers arbitration; patient is not a party to the dispute.
- 03
Hospitals must list facility-based providers + their network status on their website.
- 04
Insurers must reimburse out-of-network providers at the commercially reasonable amount during arbitration.
How Audra helps
From upload to appeal in 60 seconds.
01
Upload your bill
Drop a PDF, photo, or EOB into Audra. Encrypted in your browser before it leaves your device.
02
We check it against the law
Audra cross-references every line item against Washington Balance Billing Protection Act (RCW 48.49), the federal No Surprises Act, your insurer's contracted rates, and CMS billing rules.
03
Get a ready-to-send appeal
We draft a letter citing the specific WA statute and any federal protections that apply, formatted for your insurer and provider. Print it, email it, or send it from inside Audra.
In-state coverage
Works for bills from any Washington provider.
Audra audits bills from every major hospital system in Washington, including:
If your bill comes from an out-of-state provider, Audra still works — federal protections apply nationwide.
If the provider won't budge
File a complaint with the WA Attorney General.
If your appeal letter doesn't resolve the bill within 30 days, escalate to the Washington Attorney General — Consumer Resource Center. They have authority to investigate billing complaints and, in some cases, subpoena provider records.
Official complaint portal
Washington Attorney General — Consumer Resource Center
www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaintStop paying what you don't owe.
Your first audit is free. After that, $30 per bill, or $15/mo for up to 25 audits/month.
Other states