http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/index.shtml Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner News Releases en-us November 16, 2009 http://www.rssfeedssubmit.com/rss-generator/ http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/11_19_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash.- The number of Washingtonians with no health insurance will soon reach 1 million, according to a report issued today by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. Kreidler also predicts that the cost of uncompensated medical care in the state will reach $1 billion annually by 2011. “The widespread and growing lack of health insurance in Washington state is hurting families, communities and our state’s economy in ways that we can no longer afford to ignore,” said Kreidler. The report includes costs, trends, projections and a county-by-county breakdown of the number of uninsured people. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/11_16_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler will hold two news conferences on Thursday to reveal a startling growth in the number of uninsured people and the costs to local communities. Kreidler will lay out statewide costs of the uninsured and underinsured, costs to your community, your family – and you. The data includes a county-by-county breakdown of the number of uninsured people in the state. Both news conferences will take place on Thursday. Join Kreidler at 9 a.m. in Seattle at the Best Western Executive Inn or at 2 p.m. in Spokane at the Doubletree Hotel. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/11_05_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. —The annual enrollment for Medicare’s prescription drug program (Part D) runs from Nov. 15 - Dec. 31. Many plans are changing this year. If you’re new to Part D or want to change plans, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s SHIBA HelpLine can help. “Start reviewing your options today, said Marijean Holland, SHIBA HelpLine Program Manager. “If you’re confused or have questions, we can help. Our trained volunteers in your community can answer questions and search for plans online. We also provide help with Original Medicare and other health plans.” http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/10_26_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. — With some businesses in south King County finding it extremely difficult to buy enough flood coverage, Washington’s top insurance regulator is calling for broader powers to intervene when a local insurance market collapses. “We keep hearing from businesses and brokers who say that the traditional market for flood coverage has dried up in parts of the Green River Valley,” said state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Other than federal flood insurance, some say they cannot find additional coverage at any price.” http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/10_19_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. — In response to concerns raised by some insurance brokers, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is telling insurers not to use a common policy exclusion for “governmental actions” to deny claims if water releases from the Howard Hanson Dam flood parts of the Green River Valley. “I strongly urge all companies to refrain from taking such a position,” Kreidler said in a letter sent to about 200 commercial insurers. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/10_13_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler on Tuesday called the nation's health-insurance system "tragically broken" for many people, citing a sharp rise in the number of uninsured people in recent years. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/9_25_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash. — With the fall rainy season fast approaching, Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is urging property insurers to tell their customers in King County’s Green River Valley how to get flood insurance. State and local officials are concerned about the Howard Hanson Dam, where a weakened abutment may require the Army Corps of Engineers to release more water than usual. The dam itself is not believed to be at risk for failure, but the need to keep the pool behind the dam low heightens the risk of flooding downstream in the heavily developed Green River Valley. That includes parts of Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/9_17_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash.— The state Office of the Insurance Commissioner has ordered a former insurance agent to immediately stop selling what are apparently fake insurance policies. Brenda L. MacLaren-Beattie and The MacLaren Group have been told to immediately cease and desist. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/9_14_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash.— The state insurance commissioner’s office and a major crop insurance company have fixed a situation that threatened to delay thousands of crop insurance payments to wheat growers across Eastern Washington. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/9_9_2009.shtml Olympia, Wash.— Washington’s top insurance and health officials are urging health insurers to ensure that as many Washingtonians as possible have access to H1N1 vaccine and treatment. “So far, this flu has proven less virulent than initially feared,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “But we want insurers to be fully prepared for what looks to be a challenging flu season. Working together, we can minimize the impact of both swine flu and regular seasonal flu.” http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/7_27_2009.shtml Get your medical bills lowered.” “A solution so simple, it’s brilliant.” “The savings do not stop there.” As people struggle to find affordable health care, many are turning to discount health plans. And some buyers, who mistakenly think they’ve bought insurance coverage with full benefits, are discovering that the discounts are much more limited than they thought. http://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/2009/8_19_2009.shtml Cumberland Casualty and Surety Company of Florida was placed into receivership on Feb. 26, 2004. The company writes insurance and bonds (surety and fidelity) and had its license revoked in Washington in Jan. 2005. In a effort to rehabilitate the company, all outstanding bonds will be canceled effective Sept. 28, 2009.