| 12/29/2003 |
Insurance Commissioner assumes supervision of Western United in Spokane |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has assumed administrative supervision of Western United Life Assurance Co. while the Spokane insurer's parent holding company experiences financial difficulties. |
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| 12/23/2003 |
Auto dealer ordered to stop selling car theft coverage |
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A Fife auto dealer has been ordered by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler to stop selling an unapproved insurance product that purports to offer the buyer car theft protection.
The order names Honda of Fife, employee Gary Shriver, and Owner-Guard Corp. of San Diego, CA..
Access the order and related documents.
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| 12/18/2003 |
Commissioner Kreidler joins effort to improve patient safety, control cost of medical malpractice insurance |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has joined Gov. Gary Locke and other state leaders in a coordinated effort to help improve patient safety and control the cost of medical malpractice insurance.
The proposal, which is part of the governor’s supplemental budget proposal, was unveiled today in a news conference. Additional details can be accessed on the governor's Web site.
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| 12/11/2003 |
Kreidler extends schedule for Premera conversion request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended the schedule for a hearing and eventual decision on Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to a for-profit company. |
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| 12/9/2003 |
Start time adjusted for Dec. 10 Premera hearing |
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Due to a scheduling conflict, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has delayed the starting time for a Dec. 10 hearing on Premera-related issues. The hearing will now begin at 3 p.m. |
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| 12/9/2003 |
Hearing scheduled for National Merit Insurance acquisition |
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The office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) will hold a hearing Dec. 18 to consider the acquisition of National Merit Insurance Co., a domestic Washington insurer, by Response Insurance Company, a Delaware insurer. The hearing will be held at 9 a.m. in the OIC offices at 5000 Capitol Blvd. in Tumwater.
Contact Jim Tompkins of the OIC at 360/725-7218 for details.
The Notice of Hearing can be accessed via the following link:
Notice of Hearing Considering Acquisition of National Merit Insurance Company |
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| 12/8/2003 |
Premera hearing moved to Dec. 10 |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has rescheduled a hearing for arguments related to a number of issues that recently surfaced in Premera Blue Cross’ application to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 12/5/2003 |
Information for consumers who have experienced property damage due to the recent wind storms |
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Consumers who have experienced property damage due to the recent wind storms are encouraged to check out these insurance tips on what to do when winter weather strikes. Remember, it's never too early to get prepared. If you have additional questions, contact our Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900. |
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| 12/5/2003 |
The Commissioner to hear arguments in Premera conversion case |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold a hearing on Dec. 15 in Tumwater to hear arguments related to a number of issues that recently surfaced in Premera Blue Cross' application to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 12/1/2003 |
Four public forums scheduled for December in Premera conversion request
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will conduct a second round of public hearings concerning Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to for-profit status. The hearings, each set to run from 6-8 p.m., will be held in four cities:- Spokane on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the WestCoast Ridpath Hotel
- Yakima on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Red Lion Hotel, Yakima Center
- Seattle Region on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the SeaTac Doubletree Hotel
- Bellingham on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the Hampton Inn Fox Hall
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| 11/25/2003 |
Premera’s and interveners’ consultant reports posted on OIC Web site |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has released the final reports prepared by the expert consultants for both Premera Blue Cross and the third party interveners. Both sets of consultants were asked to analyze the insurer’s request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 11/24/2003 |
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner will hold a hearing Dec. 3, 2003, to consider the proposed merger of Eagle Pacific Insurance Company |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner will hold a hearing Dec. 3, 2003, to consider the proposed merger of Eagle Pacific Insurance Company, a domestic Washington insurer, and American Protection Insurance Company, an Illinois insurer. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the OIC offices at 5000 Capitol Boulevard in Tumwater. |
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| 11/21/2003 |
Consultant reports released on Premera’s conversion request |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has released reports prepared by expert consultants who were asked to analyze Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 11/12/2003 |
Hearing scheduled on Advanced Registered Nurse practitioners' complaint |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) will conduct a hearing on Dec. 3* to hear arguments related to a complaint filed by the Washington State Nurses Association regarding Regence BlueShield's reimbursement for services to Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners. |
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| 10/27/2003 |
Four public forums to precede adjudicative hearing in Premera conversion request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has announced the dates and locations for a second round of public hearings concerning Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to for-profit status. He also scheduled an adjudicative hearing which will begin on Jan. 15, 2004. |
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| 10/27/2003 |
Family Life and Investors Life Seek Redomestication Approval |
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On September 12, 2003, Family Life Insurance Company (Family Life) and Investors Life Insurance Company of North America (Investors Life) each filed an Application for Redomestication to transfer their corporate domicile from Washington State to the state of Texas. |
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| 10/21/2003 |
Commissioner schedules emergency hearing on Premera’s conversion request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold an emergency hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 at his office in Tumwater regarding issues raised earlier today by the interveners in Premera Blue Cross’s request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 10/13/2003 |
Notice to Insurers Regarding Automobile Personal Injury Protection (PIP) |
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Effective July 27, 2003, the Washington State Legislature made clarifications to the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) laws. Company claims staff should be informed of the statutory changes and a recent court case to ensure that losses are paid according to the law rather than in line with outdated insurance contract provisions. |
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| 9/18/2003 |
Kreidler orders Premera hearing to begin in January |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has approved a revised case schedule leading to a Jan. 15, 2004, start of the adjudicative hearing in Premera Blue Cross's request to convert to a for-profit company. The schedule is outlined in Kreidler's Thirteenth Order issued today. |
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| 9/12/2003 |
Kreidler, Premera reach schedule agreement |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and officials for Premera Blue Cross agreed today that Kreidler will decide by mid-March whether or not to approve the health insurer’s request to convert to a for-profit company. |
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| 9/11/2003 |
Kreidler challenges shortened schedule for Premera decision |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has appealed a Thurston County Superior Court order requiring him to make a decision within 60 days on Premera's request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 8/28/2003 |
Schedule adopted for decision on Premera's for-profit request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has adopted a six-month case schedule calling for a hearing in mid-February on Premera's request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 8/20/2003 |
Kreidler adopts special master's six-month case schedule as recommended |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has issued another order in Premera's request to convert to for-profit status, adopting a six-month case schedule as recommended by the special master on July 14, 2003. |
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| 8/14/2003 |
12,000 Washington consumers eligible for state's $21M settlement with mortgage company |
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About 12,000 Washington consumers will soon get information about their eligibility for restitution under the state’s $21.15 million settlement with Household International, a top lender in the sub-prime mortgage market.
Click for the news release about the restitution process, a briefing paper and frequently asked questions. |
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| 7/30/2003 |
Consumers benefit financially from insurance intervention services to the tune of $36 million |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recovered nearly $36 million for Washington consumers through insurance intervention services during the two-year period ending June 30, 2003. |
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| 7/25/2003 |
Kreidler orders Premera to produce disputed documents for review |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has ordered Premera officials to produce certain disputed documents in order for a special master to review them. The special master will determine whether the documents are privileged or protected under the attorney-client or work product doctrines, as Premera asserts, or whether they may be disclosed to the commissioner’s staff and its experts as part of their review of Premera’s request to convert to a for-profit entity. |
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| 7/21/2003 |
Commissioner schedules Premera hearing |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at his offices in Tumwater to address issues related to a review of disputed documents in Premera’s request to convert to for-profit status. |
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| 7/15/2003 |
New Agent/Broker E-Newsletter Unveiled |
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A new quarterly Agents and Brokers E-Newsletter has replaced the former paper newsletter that has been out of circulation for a while. The What’s New section of the e-newsletter highlights licensing and other pertinent information that has changed in any way during the previous quarter. Additional sections cover upcoming developments, hot topics, OIC news of interest, fingerprint services, insurance fraud, public disclosure information, and the agents and brokers advisory committees. To access the current e-newsletter simply click on the link above.
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| 7/1/2003 |
Credit cards now acceptable for payment of fees |
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Effective immediately, Visa or MasterCard payment is now acceptable for all agent and broker licensing fees payable to the Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner. Payment may be in person, via fax or by mail. Please complete the credit card authorization form and submit with the faxed or mailed requisite form(s). For your protection, do not put credit card information on any form other than this authorization form.
(PDF Format)
(Word Format) |
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| 7/1/2003 |
Household International settlement update |
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Consumers that purchased loans through Household International between Jan. 1, 1999 and Sept. 30, 2002 may be eligible for part of the landmark $484 million national settlement. The settlement provides Washington resident's with $21.15 million in restitution. Eligible participants will receive notices from the Settlement Administrator later this summer. For further information about the settlement call
1-800-450-1003. |
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| 6/26/2003 |
Final implementation of Credit Scoring Law |
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As the final phase of Washington’s groundbreaking credit scoring law takes effect June 30, consumers will no longer see their auto or homeowners insurance premiums increase because of certain factors in their credit history. |
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| 6/23/2003 |
U.S. Supreme Court deals blow to Holocaust victims |
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The U.S. Supreme Court struck down California’s Holocaust Victims Insurance Relief Act (HVIRA) today effectively leaving in question Washington state’s own similar law passed unanimously in 1999. Both laws required insurance companies to disclose information about all of their Holocaust-era polices in order to help Holocaust victims and their heirs file insurance claims. Companies that refused to comply with the law faced having their licenses revoked. |
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| 6/17/2003 |
Kreidler adopts Premera protective order and confidentiality agreement |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has issued an Eighth Order in Premera’s request to convert to for-profit status, setting procedures for the protection of confidential information. |
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| 5/14/2003 |
New consumer protections enacted in Washington |
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Washington consumers now have two new laws that will protect them from predatory lending practices and prevent the potential financial devastation associated with illegal health insurance plans. |
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| 5/9/2003 |
Task Force Aims to Reconstruct Health Insurance |
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Sixteen prominent individuals from around the state have joined Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler in a task force on health insurance reform. |
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| 5/1/2003 |
Illegal dental insurance plan ordered to cease and desist in Washington |
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Washington consumers of dental insurance plans should stay away from Benefit Plans of America, Inc. as sold by Daniel A. White. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has issued a Cease and Desist order prohibiting the soliciting, selling, issuing or transacting of insurance of this plan in Washington. This dental coverage plan was sold as early as 1995. Anyone who has information about Benefit Plans of America, Inc. or believes they may be a victim is urged to contact the OIC consumer hotline at 1-800-562-6900. |
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| 4/11/2003 |
Military Service – License Renewals Waiver of Continuing Education Requirement |
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A resident insurance agent and/or broker who is unable to comply with the license renewal procedures due to activation to military service may request a waiver for the 32 hours of continuing education required to renew or reinstate the license. |
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| 4/10/2003 |
Insurance Commissioner appoints special master to oversee some Premera pre-hearing proceedings |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has issued a seventh order in Premera's request to convert to for-profit status, appointing a special master to oversee some pre-hearing proceedings. |
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| 4/3/2003 |
Insurance Company fined $500,000 for Travel Insurance Product |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) reached a $500,000 enforcement agreement with Insurance Company of North America (INA) of Pennsylvania for issuing over 140,000 unapproved certificates for travel insurance and other related insurance products in Washington. |
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| 4/2/2003 |
Insurance Commissioner denies intervener status request from consortium of NW law schools |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has issued another order in Premera's request to convert to for-profit status, denying intervener status to a consortium of Northwest law schools. |
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| 3/20/2003 |
Holocaust-era insurance claims filing deadline extended |
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The International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC) has extended the deadline for filing Holocaust-era insurance claims from March 30, 2003, to September 30, 2003. The original deadline was changed by ICHEIC Chairman and former Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger to allow the ICHEIC sufficient time to publish additional names of policyholders on its Website (www.icheic.org) and provide adequate time for the public to review the lists.
To contact the Washington State Holocaust Survivors Assistance Office, call (206) 464-6828 or toll free 1-888-606-9622. |
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| 3/14/2003 |
Insurance Commissioner schedules status conference on Premera conversion request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold another pre-hearing status conference March 24, 2003 to consider matters in Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to a for-profit company. |
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| 3/12/2003 |
Insurance Industry's Bill Would Cost Consumers More Than $63 Million |
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The insurance industry would like to see consumers who purchase auto and homeowners insurance write them a blank check for tens of millions of dollars each year. |
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| 3/11/2003 |
Kreidler holds press conference to shine light on fast moving anti-consumer legislation |
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Several consumer groups will join Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler tomorrow when he will publicly oppose a bill rapidly moving through the Legislature that would rob auto and homeowners insurance consumers of tens of millions of dollars. |
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| 3/7/2003 |
Washington Casualty ordered into receivership |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has assumed control of Washington Casualty Co., a Bellevue-based insurer that provides medical liability coverage for nearly 70 community hospitals and medical clinics across the state. |
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| 2/27/2003 |
Insurance Commissioner to hold pre-hearing conference on Premera conversion request |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold a pre-hearing conference Monday on Premera Blue Cross’ request to convert to a for-profit company. |
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| 2/26/2003 |
Physicians urged to use caution when insurance savings are promised |
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Physicians and other health care providers in Washington are urged to proceed with caution and ask questions if they are solicited by fax or e-mail with offers promising significant savings in their medical liability insurance premiums. |
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| 2/20/2003 |
Kreidler Decries Employee Deaths as Corporate Investment Strategy |
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Corporate-owned life insurance policies – commonly known as "dead peasants insurance" or "janitors insurance" – face tough new consumer protections under a bill moving through the Legislature this week at the request of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. |
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| 2/14/2003 |
Household International, Inc Settlement Update |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Financial Institutions issue an update on the Consent Judgement and restitution issues involving Household International, Inc. and last year's landmark consumer settlement of $484 million. |
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| 2/14/2003 |
Office of the Insurance Commissioner Urges Consumers to be on the Lookout for an Illegal Health Plan Under the Name 'Good Samaritan' |
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Washington consumers are asked to be on the alert for individuals selling an illegal health insurance plan under the name "Good Samaritan." If you are approached by someone trying to sell you a plan under this name, call the Insurance Commissioner's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 with the name and phone number of the individual offering the coverage and any specific information you have about the plan. Remember to mention you're calling to report an "illegal health insurance plan." |
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| 2/10/2003 |
Kreidler to Allow Interveners in Premera Proceedings |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will allow third-party individuals and organizations to participate in his consideration of Premera Blue Cross' request to convert to a publicly-held company. |
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| 2/6/2003 |
Kreidler Targets Illegal Health Plans - Seeks Legislation to Increase Penalties |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is launching an education campaign to warn consumers of the perils of illegal health insurance plans and urge them to "verify before you buy." The agency is seeking legislation to increase both the civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized sale of insurance or health coverage. House Bill 1676 and Senate Bill 5641 were introduced this week. |
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| 2/4/2003 |
Kreidler to Represent the West on National Insurance Board |
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Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will represent 14 western states, Guam and American Samoa on the executive board of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). |
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| 2/3/2003 |
Group Health Cooperative to Settle Alternative-care Lawsuit |
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Group Health Cooperative has reached a tentative settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought by members over alternative health care. |
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| 1/28/2003 |
Kreidler Labels Bush Proposal the Wrong Solution to Health Care Crisis |
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Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is calling on Congress to reject President Bush's push for national association health plans, saying the proposal only makes today's health care crisis worse and is a recipe for fraud. |
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| 1/24/2003 |
First Credit Scoring Study Delivered to Legislature |
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The Office of the Insurance Commissioner delivered a report on the impact of credit scoring on consumers to the Legislature this morning. While the results are too varied across different insurers' situations for a clear pattern to emerge, the study found unequal effects were too common to be random events. |
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| 1/23/2003 |
Premera Blue Cross Challenges the Commissioner's Latest Order |
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Premera Blue Cross challenges the Commissioner's latest Order (Third Order: Ruling on Premera's Objection to the Case Management Order) and files a Petition for Judicial Review in Thurston County Superior Court. |
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| 1/21/2003 |
Credit Scoring Reminder |
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Insurance companies using credit scoring for personal lines automobile and homeowners insurance are reminded to submit filings as soon as possible in order to meet the June 30 effective date of the new credit scoring law. Details and requirements can be found in a Technical Assistance Advisory (TAA) issued Jan 16. |
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| 1/21/2003 |
Seaton Insurance Company Seeks Redomestication Approval* |
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Seaton Insurance Company, a Washington-domiciled insurer, has asked the Office of the Insurance Commissioner for permission to redomesticate to Rhode Island and then operate as a foreign insurer here once it moves its incorporation to Rhode Island. |
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