New insurance coverage approved to help doctors who face criminal charges for providing legal abortions

09/27/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office has approved coverage requested by Physicians Insurance A Mutual of Seattle (Physicians) to reimburse its policyholders for legal fees and expenses incurred defending against a criminal action that comes from providing direct patient care, including performing abortions. 

Abortion is legal in Washington state, but patients from other states may seek treatment here if their state outlaws the procedure. 

“My office will do everything it can to counter attacks on reproductive health and the physicians who…

Kreidler extends emergency orders on coronavirus testing and surprise billing to Oct. 25

09/22/2022

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 October 25. Both orders will be extended one more time through the end of October. They will not be renewed after Oct. 31 when the Washington's emergency declaration is expected to end. 

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12 insurers approved for 2023 Exchange health insurance market, 8.18% average rate change

09/14/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Twelve health insurers are approved to sell plans in Washington's 2023 Exchange health insurance market. The average rate increase is 8.18%.  Plans from two additional health insurers (Asuris Northwest Health and Providence Health Plan) are still under review for sale outside of the Exchange.

Key drivers behind this year's premium changes are increased utilization, including pent-up demand for elective surgeries and changes to what payments the insurers either owed or received under the Affordable Care Act's risk adjustment program.  This program stabilizes the…

Ricardo Carmona and Saul Perez plead guilty to insurance fraud in Yakima County

09/13/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Ricardo Carmona and Saul Perez both recently pled guilty to insurance fraud in Yakima County Superior Court.

Ricardo Carmona, of Yakima and Saul Perez, of Wapato were recently convicted of insurance fraud after a criminal investigation by the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Carmona and Perez both pled guilty to the charges of false claims or proof, attempted first degree theft, and criminal conspiracy. They were each ordered to pay $600 in court fees and sentenced to three months electronic home monitoring.  …