News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Spokane man was recently found guilty of insurance fraud after his case went to trial in Spokane County Superior Court.  

Ivan Kriger (also known as Evaun Syrah Solomon), of Spokane, Wash., was recently convicted of insurance fraud for a case investigated by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). The jury in Spokane County found Kriger guilty of attempted first degree theft and filing a fraudulent insurance claim. Kriger was also ordered to serve 10 days in jail, six months in community custody and pay $800 in court fees.…

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…

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-…

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…