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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 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 April 18, 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 to…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a consumer alert today to set the record straight about vaccines affecting life insurance policies and payouts. 

“I encourage all people in Washington state to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible and can find an appointment,” said Kreidler. “It is a life-saving measure for yourself and your loved ones. Rest assured that doing so will not affect your ability to qualify for life insurance or adversely affect your premiums or benefits.”

Misinformation has been circulating nationally falsely…

Media contact: Public Affairs, (360) 725-7055

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The American Rescue Plan Act dramatically expands access to free and low-cost health insurance for more than 200,000 people who get their health insurance through Washington’s Healthplanfinder, our state's Exchange.

“Despite the progress made under the Affordable Care Act, we know that too many families have struggled to afford critical health coverage, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “The American Rescue Plan Act makes good on a promise to provide more…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Colin Walsh, of Sequim, Wash., pleaded guilty in King County Superior Court on Feb. 22 to one count of attempting to file a false insurance claim in connection with a renters insurance policy. He was sentenced to serve 364 days of confinement, which were suspended, 60 days of electronic home detention and 12 months of unsupervised probation. He must pay $2,320 in restitution and a $500 fine. 

Officials charged Walsh with one felony count of filing a false insurance claim in 2019 after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal…