News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer announced six additions to her executive staff on Friday. Kuderer was sworn in as the Evergreen State’s ninth insurance commissioner on Wednesday. 

The new staff members joining the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) include:

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Patty Kuderer was sworn in as Washington’s ninth insurance commissioner today by Washington Supreme Court Justice Steve Gonzalez. Kuderer, a former state Senator from Bellevue, was joined by her son, Michael, and family friend, Stephanie Weil. 

She is one of only 11 elected insurance commissioners in the country and Washington’s first new commissioner in 24 years. 

“I’m excited to get started and join…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state’s Balance Billing Protection Act has been expanded to include protections for patients who have been transported by a ground ambulance. The new law bans balance billing or “surprise billing” for covered emergency and non-emergency ground ambulance transportation. 

If you are transported by an out-of-network ground ambulance provider, they must bill your health plan directly. Your cost-sharing amount is limited to what it would be if the ambulance was in your health plan’s network and the ambulance provider cannot balance bill you…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The annual open enrollment period for people who currently have a Medicare Advantage health plan started January 1.

Current Medicare Advantage enrollees can make changes to their plan through March 31, when the open enrollment period ends. Changes made during open enrollment go into effect the first day of the following month after you enroll.

If you’re a current Medicare Advantage enrollee and want to change plans, make sure your doctor is included in the new plan’s provider network, your prescription drugs are covered and you’ve read the details of the…