News Archive

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…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued the following statement today on the new Texas law that restricts women’s rights to abortion:

“The Republican party in Texas has once again shown its blatant disregard for women’s rights. The new law that effectively bans abortions in the state cannot be allowed to stand.

“The Texas law is a threat to women’s health and – if allowed to stand – could become a model for other states to restrict the ability of women to make choices about their own health.  

“Texas Republicans have become America’s own…