OLYMPIA, Wash. — Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued fines in April and May totaling $398,500 against insurance companies that violated state insurance laws and regulations.

Insurance companies

LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; fined $250,000 (order 23-0068).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, LifeWise incorrectly processed 4,133 virtual mental health claims for 871 consumers, which resulted in $75,366 in overpayments to providers.  LifeWise also incorrectly coded 6,591 COVID-19 testing claims in 2020 and 2021. Of those claims, 4,357…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Seattle man was found guilty of committing insurance fraud in King County Superior Court after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

Issa Mohamed, of Seattle, pled guilty on May 8, 2023 to the felony charge of attempted fraudulent insurance claim. He was sentenced to 179 days in jail, with 178 days suspended. He was also ordered to undergo a substance abuse evaluation, serve 24 months probation, pay $500 in court fees and pay restitution of $4,237.61.

On August 16, 2021, Mohamed purchased an…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Fourteen health insurers filed an average requested rate increase of 9.11% for Washington's individual health insurance market. The proposed plans and their rates are currently under review and final decisions will be made this fall. 

"Nearly 250,000 people in Washington state get their health coverage through our individual market,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “I'm pleased that so many insurers are filing plans again and to see such healthy competition. Now, we'll spend the next few months closely reviewing the companies' requests and the…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has directed Cambia Health Solutions, Inc., and its subsidiaries — including Regence BlueShield — to reprocess ground ambulance claims from approximately 670 policyholders who were balance billed by ambulance companies.  

“Unfortunately, the insurer’s approach to this issue was not consistent with the law or the documents they have filed with our office. More importantly, it left consumers unfairly caught between the insurer and the providers,” Kreidler said. He added that his office is in discussions with…