Kreidler extends emergency orders on coronavirus testing and shock billing to Oct. 25

September 22, 2022

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance coverage Commissioner Mike Kreidler has prolonged three emergency orders. His order requiring health insurers to waive copays and deductibles for any client requiring testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and his order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab charges associated to medically needed diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are each prolonged till October 25. Each orders can be prolonged yet another time by way of the top of October. They won’t be renewed after Oct. 31 when the Washington’s emergency declaration is predicted to finish. 

Kreidler additionally prolonged his order requiring health insurers to cover coronavirus vaccine counseling for the ultimate time. It would additionally finish on October 31. 

Kreidler’s order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated medical insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on shock billing applies to each in-state and out-of-state laboratories when a supplier orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Additionally, insurers should proceed:

• Permitting a one-time early refill for pharmaceuticals.
• Suspending any prior authorization requirement for remedy or testing of COVID-19.

As well as, if an insurer doesn’t have sufficient medical suppliers in its community to supply testing or remedy for COVID-19, it should permit enrollees to be handled by one other supplier inside an inexpensive distance at no extra value.

“Shoppers are rightly involved about prevention, testing and attainable remedy,” Kreidler mentioned. “My emergency orders present steering to well being insurers and may assist reassure the general public that we’ll take all needed steps to guard them.” 

Kreidler is utilizing powers granted to him following the statewide emergency that Gov. Jay Inslee declared to guard Washington residents in opposition to the unfold of the coronavirus. 

When the governor points an emergency proclamation, the commissioner can challenge an emergency order associated to well being care protection to make sure entry to care. The order may be prolonged by the commissioner for 30 days at a time so long as the governor’s emergency proclamation stays in impact.