Kreidler extends emergency order again waiving deductibles and copays for coronavirus testing

07/02/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order to Washington state health insurers for an additional 30 days requiring them to waive copays and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Insurers also must continue: 

Allowing a one-time early refill for prescription drugs. Suspending any prior authorization requirement for treatment or testing of COVID-19.

In addition, if an insurer does not have enough medical providers in its network to provide testing or treatment for COVID-19, it must allow…

Kreidler extends withheld depreciation deadline for insurance claims for building repairs

06/25/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended an emergency order that requires insurers to extend deadlines relating to withheld depreciation for policyholders who are in the process of completing home or building repairs as part of a property loss claim under a replacement cost policy.  

The deadline is extended 30 days to July 26. The original order, issued on April 27, expires June 26.  

Without the extension, some policyholders in Washington could have been forced to accept a depreciated settlement from an insurer that was less than the…

Kreidler: Trump cruelly targets ACA again while pandemic cripples U.S.

06/25/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The following statement from Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is in response to President Trump’s continued support of the Republican-led case before the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act: 

“More than 2.3 million people in our country have contracted the coronavirus and at least 120,000 have died. Now, more than ever, people are looking to their government for answers and for relief. Yet, when called to provide comfort and support to the American people, President Trump instead doubles down on tearing away the very health care…

Kreidler directs health insurers in Washington state to protect transgender patients

06/24/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent guidance to all health insurers in Washington state reminding them that it is against state law to discriminate against an enrollee based on their gender identity. 

He sent the letter in response to the announcement the Trump administration made last week that it intends to limit the protections transgender patients have under the Affordable Care Act. 

“The coronavirus pandemic is far from over, with cases rising across the country. Instead of expanding access to care to everyone who needs it, this…