New SHIBA sponsor, Solid Ground to help King County seniors with Medicare

09/23/2021

SEATTLE, Wash. – Solid Ground replaced Sound Generations as the new Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) sponsor for King County, effective September 1.

“Navigating the complications of Medicare can be difficult even for people who have worked inside the health care system, “said Shalimar Gonzales, CEO of Solid Ground. “For people in marginalized and underserved communities, it can be almost impossible. Our organization has a long history of leveraging the power of volunteerism to improve lives, so we’re thrilled to be able to partner with the Washington state…

Kreidler hosts Climate Summit 2021, free virtual event open to the public

09/22/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is hosting a virtual Climate Summit on Oct. 6 to highlight the latest science, best practices being deployed in the private sector, and regulatory approaches to combating climate change. 

Climate Summit 2021 is a half-day event and is free and open to the public. 

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee will make keynote remarks about fighting climate change head on in the Evergreen state. 

Sec. Gen. Ekhosuehi Iyahen with the Insurance Development Forum will give the keynote address about addressing the…

Most insurers miss opportunity to offer better auto and homeowner rates for Washington consumers

09/21/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance companies selling auto, home and renters insurance in Washington could offer more competitive rates today by reassessing the risk factors they consider to set premiums. To date, most have failed to do so.  

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered 128 property and casualty insurers in March to end the discriminatory practice of using credit scoring to determine how much you pay for coverage. They had until June 20 to remove credit histories as a rating factor, the date his emergency rule took effect. 

Insurers could reorder a…

Average 4.17% rate change approved for 2022 Exchange health insurance market

09/20/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – An average 4.17% rate change has been approved for next year's Exchange health insurance market. Twelve insurers will sell plans on Washington's Exchange in 2022. Rates and plans for additional insurers selling only outside of the Exchange are still under review. 

People who do not get health insurance coverage from their employer shop for insurance in the individual market. Premium subsidies are available, based on income, through Washington's Exchange, www.wahealthplanfinder.org. The Exchange opened a Public Health Emergency Special Enrollment this past year that…