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Media contact: Public Affairs, (360) 725-7055
June 22, 2022
OLYMPIA, Wash. ? Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has extended two emergency orders. His?order?requiring health insurers to waive copays?and deductibles?for any consumer requiring testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) and his?order?protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills?for lab fees related to medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 are both extended until July 27.
Kreidler's order waiving cost-sharing applies to all state-regulated health insurance plans and short-term, limited-duration medical plans. The order on surprise billing applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Also, insurers 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 treated by another provider within a reasonable distance at no additional cost.
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