Kreidler encourages health insurers to work with employers who want to maintain employee coverage

04/09/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is encouraging all health insurers to work with employers who want to keep their employees on their health plans and is expediting review of any changes to eligibility requirements. Many employers have had to temporarily furlough employees during the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“These are uncertain times for everyone,” said Kreidler. “We’ve heard from many employers who want to keep their employees on their health plans despite their employment status. We want to make sure this is…

Kreidler urges insurers to consider refunds of auto premiums to Washington drivers

04/07/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler today urged all insurers doing business in Washington to consider refunding auto insurance premiums to their policyholders since most are driving less.

Kreidler said people are driving less in Washington because of Gov. Jay Inslee's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order issued in late March and extended statewide through May 4. The governor said recently that traffic on the state’s roads and highways is down as much as 50% over the last month.

Such a decline reduces the risk of accidents, associated injuries and…

Kreidler’s office on alert for insurance scams during pandemic

04/03/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is warning people in Washington state to beware of coronavirus scams and attempts to defraud them. 

Kreidler’s office is working with state and federal agencies to warn people about scam attempts and is keeping a close eye on the insurance landscape. 

“Our investigators are working just as hard, if not harder, on monitoring insurance fraud and the industry,” Kreidler said. 

Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), which investigates criminal insurance fraud, got a boost in the…

Kreidler issues emergency order on dental insurance and clarifying grace period payments

04/03/2020

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order (PDF, 229KB) requiring a grace period of at least 60 days for all stand-alone dental plans certified by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange as qualified dental plans.

His order also clarifies that during grace period for dental plans and the earlier order he issued for many health insurance plans, the dental and health insurers are responsible for paying claims for all covered services during the first 30 days. 

This order is in effect until May 23, 2020.

“These are…