OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order again, directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Nov. 13 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…News Archive
Find all of the news from our agency and sign up to receive updates about our recent efforts and consumer news.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Tomorrow marks the start of Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period – also called the Annual Election Period, which runs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. During this time, people on Medicare can:
Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan and vice versa. Drop or switch a Part D prescription drug plan, if you have Original Medicare. Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with all of these decisions. To…
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 Oct. 25.
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…
Kreidler approves average rate decrease of 3.2% for Washington’s 2021 Exchange health insurers
09/24/2020
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thirteen health insurers have been approved to sell health plans in Washington state’s 2021 Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. This is the second consecutive year the average rate decreased by over 3%. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board is scheduled to certify the approved plans at a meeting later today. Washington state’s Health Care Authority solicited bids for Cascade Care, the public options plans, and is working to sign contracts with the successful bidders. Two insurers - Asuris Northwest Health and Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan - intend to…