News Archive

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – As of July 1,  Whatcom Council on Aging, which operates the Bellingham Senior Activity Center, is the new Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) sponsor for Whatcom County.

A public service offered by the Washington state Office of Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA volunteers have been helping people on 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 about Medicare plans, prescription drug access, fraud and abuse, and…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer was elected to serve as Secretary/Treasurer for the Western Zone Committee of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners earlier this week at their Mid-Year Roundtable in Big Sky, MT. Her new role also gives her an official role on the NAIC’s Executive Committee.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by my fellow commissioners and be tasked with helping lead our priorities,” Kuderer said. “Insurance is regulated by the states and the issues we’re facing are increasingly complex and challenging for all of us…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer’s office issued an emergency order suspending the license of a producer involved in Quick Health’s fraudulent health insurance business, the latest development in a case that prompted federal wire fraud charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Kuderer’s office suspended the producer licenses for Benefits Now and its sole licensee, Tylor Trego, on June 17, 2025. 

The OIC found that Benefits Now continued the unauthorized insurance business of Quick Health, violated several insurance laws, and…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability rule on June 20, making it harder for consumers who buy health plans through our Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, to get and keep affordable health coverage. 

“It’s clear to me that the Trump administration does not care about helping people find and keep affordable, meaningful health insurance,” said Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. “It wants to restrict both who gets covered and the medically necessary…