Medicare open enrollment for 2022 starts Oct. 15 and SHIBA can help!

10/13/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, also called the Annual Election Period, is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, people enrolled in Medicare can: 

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan and vice versa. Join, drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, if you’re on original Medicare. Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program — part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner — is ready to help with all of these decisions. Due to the pandemic, your local SHIBA…

Kreidler considers options after court ruling on credit scoring emergency rule

10/08/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Thurston County Superior Court judge today granted a narrow ruling in favor of the insurance industry’s argument against Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s emergency rule temporarily banning the insurers’ use of credit scoring. Kreidler issued the following statement in response to the ruling: 

“I’m disappointed by today’s ruling. I have authority to take continuing action to protect consumers from the insurance industry’s unjust, secretive and unrealistic method to determine what consumers pay to insure their vehicles and homes. 

It’s…

Kreidler extends emergency order on coronavirus testing and surprise billing to Oct. 31

10/01/2021

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 Oct. 31, 2021.

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

Lakewood man sought to face insurance fraud charges

09/24/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Anfernee Aldan, 26, of Lakewood, Wash., has been added to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s insurance fraud most wanted after he failed to appear in Pierce County Superior Court to face felony charges of theft and filing a false insurance claim. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued with no bail.

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

Aldan was charged in connection with an auto…