Kreidler urges nation’s insurance commissioners to ban use of credit scores

04/28/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is urging his colleagues in other states to consider action to ban the use of consumers’ credit scores for determining insurance rates.    

Kreidler’s call for action follows a Thurston County Superior Court ruling on April 23 that allowed his emergency rule to temporarily ban the use of insurance credit scores to remain in effect. The decision denied an industry request for a preliminary injunction. 

Kreidler issued the emergency rule on March 23. It takes effect June 20. To comply, insurers…

Kreidler: Deadline is May 6 to comply with emergency rule on credit

04/27/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is reminding insurance companies of the May 6 deadline to file rating plans that comply with his emergency rule to temporarily prohibit the use of consumers' credit scores.   

A Thurston County Superior Court judge on April 23 allowed the emergency rule to remain in effect by denying an insurance industry request for a preliminary injunction. Judge Mary Sue Wilson found that industry associations challenging the rule were unlikely to succeed with their two main arguments that Kreidler lacked “good cause” and had…

Court denies industry challenge to Kreidler’s emergency rule on credit

04/23/2021

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Thurston County Superior Court judge today denied an insurance industry request to halt an emergency rule that temporarily bans the use of insurance credit scoring in Washington. 

The ruling that rejected a request for a preliminary injunction maintains Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s emergency rule issued March 23.  Judge Mary Sue Wilson found that industry associations challenging the rule were unlikely to succeed with their arguments.

The judge ruled that Kreidler demonstrated good cause for the emergency rule and did not exceed his…

Kreidler extends emergency order on coronavirus testing and surprise billing to May 16

04/16/2021

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 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 May  16, 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 billing applies…