News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer fined Premera Blue Cross $550,000 on Wednesday, Aug. 6, for violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and Washington’s provider directory regulation. 

Along with the fine, Premera must update its provider directories by October 31 to comply with state regulations.

“These violations are a disservice to the people who rely on Premera’s health plans for their well-being,” Kuderer said. “Our laws are in place to ensure mental health services are just as accessible as medical…

CHEHALIS, Wash. – As of July 1,  Timber River Connections is serving as the new Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) sponsor for Lewis County.

A public service offered by the Washington state Office of Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA volunteers have been helping people with Medicare for more than 46 years. Over 230 trained volunteers statewide provide free, impartial and confidential Medicare counseling and education to people in their communities. They assist people with Medicare plans, prescription drug access, fraud and abuse, and more. 

“I’m…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer’s office recovered more than $100 million for consumers experiencing insurance issues during the 2023-25 biennium.

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Advocacy Program closed out the biennium with $100,801,393.86 in recovered funds. That figure came from more than 200,000 consumer inquiries received and answered, though not every case involved a recovery; some inquiries are informational.

“Our mission is consumer protection and our staff is dedicated to helping Washingtonians solve their…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A report submitted to the Washington State Legislature (PDF 10.20MB) in late June details the state of the liability insurance market for adult family homes in Washington, finding the market to be largely sustainable but providing suggestions for increasing its appeal to insurance companies.  

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer’s office (OIC) worked with Davies Actuarial, Audit & Consulting on the report, which was requested by the Legislature in the 2024 session.

Adult family homes (AFHs), as referenced in the report, are homes…