Medicare open enrollment for 2021 starts Oct. 15

10/14/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Tomorrow marks the start of Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period – also called the Annual Election Period, which runs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, people on Medicare can: 

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan and vice versa. Drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, if you have Original Medicare. Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with all of these decisions. To…

Kreidler extends emergency orders on coronavirus testing and surprise billing

09/25/2020

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 Oct. 25. 

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…

Kreidler: Trump offers more fake promises on protecting health care

09/24/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The following statement from Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is in response to President Trump’s announcement about claiming to protect Americans with pre-existing medical conditions: 

“President Trump’s claim that he will protect people with pre-existing conditions from being denied health insurance is again dishonest and outrageous. 

“The awful truth is this: He and his Republican Party filed a case now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act and the very protections he claims to support. If successful,…

Kreidler approves average rate decrease of 3.2% for Washington’s 2021 Exchange health insurers

09/24/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thirteen health insurers have been approved to sell health plans in Washington state’s 2021 Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. This is the second consecutive year the average rate decreased by over 3%.   The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board is scheduled to certify the approved plans at a meeting later today. Washington state’s Health Care Authority solicited bids for Cascade Care, the public options plans, and is working to sign contracts with the successful bidders.  Two insurers - Asuris Northwest Health and Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan - intend to…