Kreidler extends emergency order requiring special enrollment period

04/06/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended his emergency order directing state-regulated health insurers that sell plans outside of the Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, to open a special enrollment through May 15 for people who are uninsured. 

Anyone who doesn’t have health insurance can buy a plan directly from an insurer or through the Exchange. Open enrollment through Washington Healthplanfinder continues through August 15. The Exchange is the only place you can get financial help, if you qualify. 

“Over 600,000…

Kreidler extends emergency order on telehealth to May 2

04/02/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until May 2 and requires health insurers to:

Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.  Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory…

Kreidler urges insurers to craft consent policies with Native American tribes

03/24/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is urging the insurance industry in Washington state to work with Native Americans on adopting policies of consent on environmental projects that affect Tribal nations. 

Kreidler said such policies would help strengthen the sovereign rights of tribes over environmentally sensitive projects that threaten their lands and traditional economies. The commissioner expressed support for a resolution the National Congress of American Indians passed in November 2020. 

The resolution called on the insurance industry to…

Kreidler issues emergency rule banning credit scoring for three years

03/23/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency rule today prohibiting insurers from using credit scoring to set rates for personal property for three years. 

This immediate, but temporary, response is necessary to prevent discriminatory pricing in auto, renters and homeowner insurance in anticipation of the end of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act expires 120 days after the president declares an end to the national emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The insurance industry’s…