Kreidler requests legislation to enhance surprise billing protections

01/12/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is requesting legislation to align Washington state’s recent Balance Billing Protection Act with the new federal No Surprises Act that took effect on Jan. 1, 2022. House Bill 1688 has bipartisan support and was heard before the House Health Care and Wellness Committee earlier today. 

“We heard so many heartbreaking stories from consumers about their battles with surprise medical bills,” said Commissioner Kreidler. “I’m incredibly proud of the bipartisan law we created and that the federal government followed in our…

Kreidler extends deadline to Jan. 31 for insurers to respond to credit scoring questions

01/10/2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent another letter today to insurers providing them with additional time to respond to his request for specific information about consumers’ premiums after they removed credit as a rating factor for auto, homeowners and renters insurance.

Twelve companies representing 5.2% of the auto insurance market responded to his initial request for specific data on how removing credit impacted their policyholders.  “I’m extremely disappointed that the majority of insurance companies are not being transparent with me or the people of…

Kreidler extends emergency order on coronavirus testing and surprise billing to Jan. 28

12/29/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two 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 Jan. 28.

Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on…

Rule to protect gender-affirming medical treatment takes effect Jan. 1

12/28/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A rule to solidify access to gender-affirming health care in Washington state takes effect Jan. 1, 2022. Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler adopted the rule on Nov. 30, 2021, which sets into state law the Gender Affirming Treatment Act (SB 5313), passed by the Washington state Legislature in 2021. 

The rule clarifies several aspects of the existing law to ensure medically necessary gender-affirming treatments are covered by health insurers. The wording in the rule previously allowed insurers to deny coverage in a way that subverted the intent of the law.…