Kreidler extends emergency order on surprising billing and lab fees for coronavirus testing

07/29/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 until Aug. 27. 

His order applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories, when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.

“We know people are under tremendous stress as we fight this pandemic,” said Kreidler. “We want to make sure they're not worrying about receiving a surprise medical bill while trying to take care of their own or their loved one…

Kreidler extends emergency order waiving cost-sharing for coronavirus testing until Aug. 27

07/29/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order  to Aug. 27 requiring health insurers 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 enrollees to be treated by another…

Kreidler extends emergency order on telehealth coverage for another 30 days

07/17/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order directing all state-regulated health insurers to make additional coverage changes to aid consumers during the coronavirus pandemic. His order is in effect until Aug. 16 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…

Kreidler to insurance CEOs: Time to put racial justice pledge to work, join effort to ban credit scoring

07/15/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler reached out to insurance company CEOs and urged them to stand behind their recent pledges to end discrimination and racial inequities by supporting his proposal to ban the unfair practice of using credit scoring in setting prices for auto, homeowner’s, renter’s and life insurance. 

“Many leaders in the insurance industry have recently pledged to eliminate inequity,” said Kreidler. “My proposal is an opportunity to convert these pledges into action.

“People will feel the economic impact of the coronavirus…