News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued the following statement on the Affordable Care Act case, California v. Texas , before the U.S. Supreme Court today:

“The U.S. Supreme Court’s eventual decision on today’s challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will affect the health care of every American. The court should reject the case.

“The challenge is based on a shaky legal argument inspired by mean-spirited politics and their instigators who have consistently failed to acknowledge the benefits of the law since it took effect. More…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A $2.67 billion settlement to resolve antitrust charges against health insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield will result in payments to some consumers of Premera and Regence health plans in Washington.

The settlement signed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama affects the 36 Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers nationwide. In Washington, this includes Premera Blue Cross, Regence BlueShield, Regence BlueShield of Oregon, and Regence BlueShield of Idaho, Inc.  

The agreement resolves claims that the insurance group’s member companies…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Consumer Protection program helped a Washington family recover a record $34.7 million in life insurance benefits following a death in Japan.

The recovery is the result of a complaint filed with Kreidler’s office in August. It is the largest in the agency’s history. 

An attorney representing the beneficiaries filed the complaint after Security Life of Denver Insurance Co. denied paying benefits because it claimed it had no certified proof the man who bought two policies had died. 

Records show he…

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 Nov. 24. 

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…