OIC awarded $620,000 federal grant to boost women’s reproductive and maternal health

09/23/2024

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced on Tuesday that his office has received a $620,000 Expanding Access to Women’s Health grant provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 

The two-year grant provides states with funding to enhance and expand access to reproductive and maternal health coverage and services. 

“Understanding and accessing over-the-counter contraceptives is critical to the health, safety and well-being of women in our state,” Kreidler said. “This will help us better inform women of…

Kreidler orders 911-Dry to stop waiving deductibles

09/17/2024

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has ordered 911-Dry LLC to stop offering to pay customers’ insurance deductibles. 

The general contractor, based in Bellingham, provides loss and mitigation services on claims made under insurance policies. The 911-Dry website states the company processes claims on behalf of customers, advertises direct insurance billing, and offers up to $2,500 in “deductible assistance.”

The cease-and-desist order, issued on Sept. 19, requires 911-Dry to stop its practice of “waiving, rebating, giving, paying, or…

Kreidler fines LifeWise, Evolent $225,000 for illegal claim denials

09/12/2024

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined LifeWise Health Plan of Washington and Evolent Health LLC a total of $225,000 for incorrectly processing, and automatically denying, health insurance claims based on the patient’s gender.

Kreidler fined LifeWise $150,000 and fined Evolent — LifeWise’s health care benefit manager — $75,000 in orders filed on Sept. 12, 2024. Health care benefit managers are third-party professionals or entities who act as intermediaries between insurers, providers and patients, often making determinations on whether services…

Average 10.7% rate increase approved for 2025 individual health insurance market

09/11/2024

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) announced today that 11 health insurers have been approved to sell in Washington's 2025 Exchange health insurance market. The approved average rate increase of 10.7% is lower than the 11.3% average increase requested. 

Rates and plans for two additional insurers that only sell outside of the Exchange (Asuris Northwest Health and Providence Health Plan) are still pending. 

"I know this rate increase will hit hard for many people, especially at a time when other expenses are up," said Insurance Commissioner Mike…