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. — 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…

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office submitted a report to the state Legislature on Thursday on liability insurance for community-based healthcare providers. 

The report presents six policy options the Legislature could consider to improve the availability of health care malpractice coverage — and other liability protection options — for providers that deliver transition of care services to incarcerated individuals.

Background

Under Washington’s Medicaid Transformation Project 2.0, funds can be used to reimburse community…

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…