News Archive

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Last week, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered all health plans he regulates to waive copays and deductibles for testing for the coronavirus, COVID-19. Now, as testing capacity expands and the federal government approves commercial labs to test for the illness, he is asking those labs to be mindful of what they charge. 

Kreidler is making this request in response to concerns from health insurers that by waiving copays and deductibles, they could be hit with excessive charges from the commercial labs doing the testing.  

“We are all in…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued an emergency order to Washington state health insurers requiring them to waive copays, coinsurance and deductibles for any consumer requiring testing (www.doh.wa.gov) for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Insurers also must: 

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

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Storms and flooding have hit Washington state hard over the last month. Unless people have flood insurance, they may not be covered for any damage caused by the latest weather systems. 

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has advice for consumers hit by the storms and for people wanting to protect themselves in the future.  

“Unfortunately, your typical homeowner or renter policy will not cover flood damage,” said Kreidler. “You must have a separate flood insurance policy. If you live in a flood zone, your lender may even require it, but if not,…

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Byron Mounce, of Puyallup, pleaded guilty in Pierce County Superior Court to one count of third-degree theft after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). Mounce was sentenced to serve 80 hours of community service and probation, to pay a $500 crime victim compensation penalty and restitution to be determined at a future court date.  

According to the investigation, Mounce bought an Esurance policy for his 2000 Mercedes sedan on Oct. 31, 2018. The same day, he filed a claim for more than $3,500 in damage…