Kreidler acted in good faith, followed steps, but exceeds authority on credit score ban, court rules

07/29/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thurston County Superior Court Judge Indu Thomas found that while Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s rule temporarily banning credit scoring followed the Administrative Procedures Act and was not “arbitrary and capricious” as the insurance industry contended, it did exceed his statutory authority. 

“Clearly, today’s ruling is disappointing for Washington consumers,” said Kreidler. “I adopted the credit scoring rule because I believed it was good public policy and would protect policyholders financially impacted during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the court…

Kreidler extends orders on coronavirus and surprise billing to August 26

07/25/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended three emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until August 26.

Kreidler also extended his order requiring health insurers to cover coronavirus vaccine counseling until September 4.

Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-…

New protections for people seeking emergency behavioral health services – Kreidler urges other states to mirror WA’s new law

07/18/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A new law expanding consumers’ protections from surprise medical bills also adds new protections for patients seeking care for a behavioral health or substance use disorder emergency. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler recently urged other state regulators to take similar actions. 

“We have a behavioral health crisis in our country, and even with strong mental health parity laws, we know that people may not get the coverage they’re entitled to,” said Kreidler. “We know that critical behavioral health emergency care is being delivered by providers…

Warrants issued after two men fail to appear in King County Superior Court

06/30/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Michael Aramde of Seattle and Lamin Jatta, of Shoreline, have been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s most wanted after they failed to appear in King County Superior Court to face felony charges of filing false insurance claims. 

If you have information that may lead to their arrests, please contact your local law enforcement agency, or contact Kreidler's Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU).

In May, Michael Aramde was charged with filing a fraudulent insurance claim after an investigation by CIU. The investigation alleges that on Jan. 9,…