News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent a letter today to 136 insurers requesting specific information about consumers’ premiums after they removed credit as a rating factor. He took this action in response to testimony he heard from consumers during the public hearing on Nov. 23. In particular, he wants to fully understand the impact of this rule on homeowner, auto and renter insurance markets. Responses are due Dec. 20. 

“I heard testimony from people who saw their rates change as a result of this rule,” said Kreidler. “I am asking insurers to share data…

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 Dec. 29, 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…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a $100,000 fine against Makina Health, an unauthorized insurer based in Texas that was illegally selling employer health insurance plans to small businesses in Washington state. The company has until Nov. 29 to pay the fine. 

Kreidler’s office opened an investigation after receiving inquiries from two licensed insurance producers asking if Makina was authorized to sell employer group plans in Washington state. Kreidler’s investigators found that Makina was not licensed to sell insurance or authorized to act as an…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Fifteen health insurers have been approved to sell in Washington's 2022 individual health insurance market. The average rate change is 4.14%. Open enrollment starts today and runs until Jan. 15, 2022. 

"Access to meaningful and affordable health coverage has always been critical to our lives and our economy, but no more so than this year," said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "I'm incredibly proud of the efforts our state made to help people find coverage, through outreach and opening special enrollment periods. We took regulatory action when needed to make…