News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A fraud investigation launched by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) in 2017 resulted in a federal prosecution of an Oregon woman who defrauded six health insurers of $1.3 million. 

Saffron Gustafson, 43, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Gustafson was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to the victim insurance plans and more than $99,000 in unpaid federal taxes. She pleaded guilty in November 2019 to charges of health care fraud and tax evasion.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Wildfires did heavy damage to the state over the Labor Day weekend, with over 80 fires ignited and more than 300,000 acres burned. Blazes destroyed the entire town of Malden, south of Spokane.

“Our state is being heavily impacted by wildfire and firefighting resources are stretched to their limit,” said Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. "I urge all Washington residents to do their part to be fire safe and prepare their homes and property for wildfire risk.” 

If you are affected by a wildfire:

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 Sept. 27.

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 to…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has begun a study to determine how many organizations in Washington are not paying insurance premium tax as required under state law. 

The study began with an initial survey sent to about 5,000 businesses and other organizations in Washington asking if they use a “captive” insurance company. This is an arrangement where a business establishes its own insurance company to insure specific risks of its owner. 

Currently, captive insurers are not authorized under Washington state law. Additionally, companies using…