News Archive

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…

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…

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. 3, 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 surprise…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Aetna Life Insurance Co. $25,000 for discriminating against policyholders who sought gender-affirming medical treatment. 

In June 2019, a Washington state consumer filed a complaint with Kreidler’s office that Aetna, a health insurer, denied coverage for breast augmentation as part of the policyholder’s gender-affirming treatment plan. Aetna denied coverage without reviewing for medical necessity, stating the treatment was not covered because it was a cosmetic procedure. 

Aetna also…