Insurance is confusing, but we’re here to help. This podcast from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) answers all kinds of questions...
Sen. Bob Hasegawa on the credit scoring study bill
The OIC Answers podcast is back at the Capitol to talk shop with a lawmaker. This week, Senator Bob Hasegawa — Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus from District 11 — joins Commissioner Kuderer to talk about Senate Bill 5589, which the OIC requested and Hasegawa sponsored. SB 5589 asks the OIC to conduct a study on how insurance companies use credit history, credit-based insurance scores and other rate factors that may have disparate impacts on Washington residents. The study would also explore alternatives to credit scoring that companies could use in determining premiums. Commissioner Kuderer and Senator Hasegawa cover why the bill matters, what it entails, where funding for the study comes from, how the insurance industry feels about the bill and where it’s at in the legislative process.
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11:13
Why did Sen. Adrian Cortes sponsor Senate Bill 5331?
OIC Answers has moved to the Capitol for the time being, setting up the mics and mixing board in the Insurance Building for a few legislative session-inspired episodes. In this episode, Senator Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground) joins Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss Senate Bill 5331 (“Strengthening consumer protection through increased insurer accountability for violations of the insurance code.”)Learn more on our website or on our previous episode introducing the bill.
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9:13
What’s it like to help people with Medicare?
“Most people have done their own homework and are just looking for validation that they’re not crazy.”The OIC Answers podcast sits down with SHIBA volunteer Charlie Sheldon to talk about how he got involved, how people react to getting free Medicare counseling, and the time commitment that comes with training.Last year, the 200-some advisors in our SHIBA program helped about 40,000 people with one-on-one support. That’s free, unbiased advice, whether it’s about using the Medicare site, giving presentations, reviewing letters beneficiaries got in the mail, checking for potential fraud, or just comparing options and plans during open enrollment.If you’d like to get involved, visit www.insurance.wa.gov/SHIBA and fill out the web form on that page.
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19:57
What do you mean it’s not real insurance?
Over 120 people in Washington state have filed complaints with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner about Quick Health, alleging the sham health insurance company owes them a total of nearly $800,000 in restitution for unpaid claims and premium refunds. Two members of the OIC’s Investigations team — Jessica Bullington and Ed Steiner — join the podcast to discuss how Quick Health showed up on the OIC’s radar, how the company operated, how many policies the company sold, what action has been taken and how you can make sure you’re buying insurance from a legitimate company.
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18:15
Can you get me my money back?
“It’s our job to protect the consumer and to be their advocate, and this bill is part of doing that.”Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer returns to OIC Answers to discuss House Bill 1199 & Senate Bill 5331, which grants the Insurance Commissioner the authority to require insurance entities in violation of the law to pay restitution to their victims.Learn more about the bills here. (www.insurance.wa.gov/news/kuderer-testify-request-bill-ordering-restitution-wronged-policyholders)
Insurance is confusing, but we’re here to help. This podcast from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) answers all kinds of questions about insurance in the Evergreen State, from Medicare to homeowners insurance claims to car insurance premiums. Hosts Aaron and Matt interview OIC staffers with expertise in different types of insurance to help make a complicated subject a little more easy to understand.
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