OLYMPIA, Wash. — A senate bill proposing a study of the impact of rating factors, including credit history passed out of committee in the Washington State Senate on Thursday.
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News from the Commissioner
Bill providing restitution for harmed policyholders moves out of committee
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Legislation (Senate Bill 5331) giving Washington’s Insurance Commissioner the authority to order restitution for harmed policyholders was voted out of the state’s Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee today.
Currently, the Insurance Commissioner can fine insurance companies or professionals that violate the law but cannot order them to pay restitution to the people they’ve victimized.
Warrant issued for insurance agent charged with stealing more than $424,000 in premiums
Kuderer issues warning on sham health insurers after Quick Health investigation
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer advises anyone seeking health insurance to confirm they’ve purchased coverage from a reputable company. The word of caution comes after a long investigation into Seguro Medico — which did business under a host of different names, primarily Quick Health — and testimonies from over 120 of the company’s victims.
Kuderer to testify on request bill ordering restitution for wronged policyholders
OLYMPIA, Wash. — If an insurance company violates Washington state law in a way that financially harms a policyholder, the path to financial justice goes through the court system.
Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer announces additions to executive staff
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer announced six additions to her executive staff on Friday. Kuderer was sworn in as the Evergreen State’s ninth insurance commissioner on Wednesday.
The new staff members joining the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) include:
Kuderer sworn in as Insurance Commissioner
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Patty Kuderer was sworn in as Washington’s ninth insurance commissioner today by Washington Supreme Court Justice Steve Gonzalez. Kuderer, a former state Senator from Bellevue, was joined by her son, Michael, and family friend, Stephanie Weil.
She is one of only 11 elected insurance commissioners in the country and Washington’s first new commissioner in 24 years.
Medicare Advantage open enrollment runs through March 31
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The annual open enrollment period for people who currently have a Medicare Advantage health plan started January 1.
Current Medicare Advantage enrollees can make changes to their plan through March 31, when the open enrollment period ends. Changes made during open enrollment go into effect the first day of the following month after you enroll.
New billing protections for ground ambulance patients take effect
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state’s Balance Billing Protection Act has been expanded to include protections for patients who have been transported by a ground ambulance. The new law bans balance billing or “surprise billing” for covered emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation.
Kreidler’s office details options to improve insurance for carceral healthcare providers
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office submitted a report to the state Legislature on Thursday on liability insurance for community-based healthcare providers.
The report presents six policy options the Legislature could consider to improve the availability of health care malpractice coverage — and other liability protection options — for providers that deliver transition of care services to incarcerated individuals.