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. 

How it works

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. — A report submitted to the Washington State Legislature on Thursday details the state of the insurance market for housing providers receiving funding from the state’s Housing Trust Fund program and offers 12 potential policy options for improving their insurance costs.

Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office (OIC) worked with Davies Actuarial and Alvarez & Marsal Financial Services on the report, which was requested by the Legislature in the 2024 session.

The report covers insurance affordability and availability for housing…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) has completed an accreditation program that certifies it is operating under best practices and standards for law enforcement. 

The program is administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and involves a seven-phase process over several months. 

“We are proud to be accredited by WASPC,” said CIU Director Bruce Lantz. “It means our department has achieved the highest professional standards for policing.”

Kreidler’s…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued fines totaling $576,500 against insurance companies, agents, brokers and unlicensed entities in October and November of 2024 for violations of state insurance laws and regulations.  

This included $100,000 levied against PacificSource Health Plans for incorrectly processing claims; $130,000 in fines against Delta Dental and its health care benefits manager, Wyssta; and a $100,000 fine against Lemonade Insurance Company. 

PacificSource fined $100,000 

Kreidler’s office fined…