News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until June 13, 2021. 

Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on surprise billing applies…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A bill to provide a framework to captive insurers doing business in Washington state became law today after Gov. Jay Inslee signed the legislation. Second Substitute SB 5315 (leg.wa.gov) was requested by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and sponsored by Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah. 

The bill requires that captives operating in Washington state must:

An independent study commissioned…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill (2SSB 5313) today prohibiting health insurers from discriminating against policyholders by denying medically necessary treatment, regardless of their gender expression or identity. The new law improves on the protections already in place in Washington state and focuses on the specific barriers to gender-affirming care that patients were encountering, including blanket exclusions for certain services. 

“Our state laws are even more clear now that patients, regardless of their gender expression or identity, cannot be…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced that more than 50 insurance companies met the May 6 deadline to file rating plans that comply with his emergency rule to temporarily prohibit the use of consumers’ credit scores.  

The temporary ban on the use of credit scores for insurance takes effect June 20. Companies that failed to meet the deadline are in violation of state law and are subject to disciplinary action by Kreidler’s office.

Approximately 200 companies are licensed to sell auto, homeowner and renter insurance in Washington. However, not…