Kreidler: Industry favors profits over people in challenge to credit score rule

04/13/2021

UPDATE: On April 15, 2021, Thurston County rescheduled the hearing for 11 a.m. on April 23, 2020.

The Zoom meeting ID is: 821 9697 0976

Passcode: 1234

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance companies hiding behind their industry associations contend no financial emergency exists during the current pandemic and that lower-income consumers in Washington deserve no protection from the discriminatory use of credit scores. 

In a lawsuit filed last week, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association challenged Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s…

Kreidler extends emergency order requiring special enrollment period

04/06/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended his emergency order directing state-regulated health insurers that sell plans outside of the Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder, to open a special enrollment through May 15 for people who are uninsured. 

Anyone who doesn’t have health insurance can buy a plan directly from an insurer or through the Exchange. Open enrollment through Washington Healthplanfinder continues through August 15. The Exchange is the only place you can get financial help, if you qualify. 

“Over 600,000…

Kreidler extends emergency order on telehealth to May 2

04/02/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until May 2 and requires health insurers to:

Continue coverage for providing telehealth via methods including telephone and video chat tools such as Facetime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangout video, Skype and Go-to-Meeting.  Cover all medically necessary diagnostic testing for flu and certain other viral respiratory…

Kreidler urges insurers to craft consent policies with Native American tribes

03/24/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is urging the insurance industry in Washington state to work with Native Americans on adopting policies of consent on environmental projects that affect Tribal nations. 

Kreidler said such policies would help strengthen the sovereign rights of tribes over environmentally sensitive projects that threaten their lands and traditional economies. The commissioner expressed support for a resolution the National Congress of American Indians passed in November 2020. 

The resolution called on the insurance industry to…