Kreidler extends emergency order 30 days for waiving deductibles and copays for coronavirus testing

05/01/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order to Washington state health insurers for 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 enrollees to be…

Kreidler extends deadline for property insurance claims with building repairs

04/30/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler filed 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 by 60 days after June 26, 2020, or after the expiration of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, whichever comes first. 

Without the extension, some policyholders in Washington could have been forced to accept a depreciated…

Kreidler: State health insurers due $106 million from Supreme Court ruling

04/30/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler anticipates that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week will provide $106 million to health insurers operating in Washington and could possibly lead to premium relief for consumers who buy coverage on the individual health insurance market. 

The 8-1 ruling on April 27 mandates the federal government pay participating health insurers nationwide a combined $12 billion. 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Risk-Corridor Program to stabilize health premiums and provide a financial backstop for insurers willing…

Kreidler extends deadlines, expedites online education for insurance producers

04/28/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler filed emergency rules that will help insurance producers during the state of Washington’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. Insurance producers are people who are licensed to sell insurance in Washington state. 

The rules:

Extend licensing renewal dates until July 31, 2020 for producers whose licenses expire between March 1 and June 30. Producers who paid a late fee for a license renewal during this period may be eligible for a refund of the fee. Requests for an extension or a late-fee refund must be submitted via a…