Why does my insurer ask such tough questions about my claim?

We get this question a lot. The insurance industry experiences millions of dollars of claims regularly, year after year. Many of the claims are legitimate, but unfortunately, many involve fraud.

 

Whether or not a claim is legitimate or fraudulent, it is important that insurance companies perform complete investigations and gather all supportive documentation to be able to evaluate a claim.

 

Of course, the claim process is not a fun thing to experience, but it is necessary that you cooperate with the insurer to help facilitate your claim. Expect them to want supporting documentation and to ask questions - it may take a bit of time. But, after you've answered their questions and provided the necessary information, you should expect a timely decision and a clear explanation of their decision. If you don't that you've been treated fairly, call us at 1-800-562-6900 or file a complaint. Maybe we can help!

Having trouble reaching the Exchange's call center?

We know Washington's Exchange, www.wahealthplanfinder.org is still experiencing high call volumes at most times of the day. If you need help getting started, consider calling a navigator or an insurance broker. You can find both in your area by entering your zip code. Here's the info. for finding a navigator and the broker information.

"I've invented a new medical treatment. How can I get insurers to cover this?"

Our consumer hotline gets this question periodically. Someone will have come up with a new way of treating some ailment, only to find that insurance companies don't want to cover it.

Insurance companies are far more likely to cover a treatment is it's "evidence-based. Typically, a treatment is deemed evidence-based after extensive clinical trials, for which the inventor (or inventor's company, actually) usually pays. In the scientific community, evidence-based treatments are considered more reliable, and therefor a better value for insurance companies' money -- and more likely to lead to success for the patient.

That said, insurance companies can pay for any treatment, so there's nothing stopping them from covering a treatment that's not evidence-based. However, with many health conditions, there are already numerous treatments available.

If you're a patient, and your insurer is refusing to pay for a particular treatment that you think would be effective, see our "How to appeal a health insurance denial" guide. You can win an appeal, but it takes some work.

Also, here in Washington state, the health plans we regulate -- which are about 37 percent of them -- must, by law, must include access to every type of licensed medical provider. Meaning that if you want to see a naturopathic physician, chiropractor, physician, acupuncturist, etc. for treatment, the choice is yours, so long as the treatment is within the scope of their practice. The law doesn't change what health conditions are covered by your plan, but it gives you more choice in who -- i.e. which kind of provider -- will treat you.

Medicare open enrollment started this week and ends Dec. 7

Medicare's open enrollment period for prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans is Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. This is the time when you can enroll in a new plan or sign up for coverage.

If you need assistance understanding your options, we have trained volunteers in your community. Our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program offers free help to people with Medicare questions and can help you search for plans online. We even have free Medicare workshops across the state.

Remember, if you want to enroll in  new plan, you must contact Medicare. You cannot sign up through the state's new health benefit exchange, www.wahealthplanfinder.org.

If you have limited income and need help paying prescription drugs, check out Medicare's "Extra Help" program. To see if you qualify, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.socialsecurity.gov.

For more help, contact a local SHIBA office in your area.

Job seekers - We're looking for a legislative liaison and a policy/rules manager

Two jobs at the Insurance Commissioner's office just posted this week - a Legislative Liaison and a Policy and Rules Manager. Both positions are exempt, open until filled and salary depends on experience.

The Legislative Liaison is responsible for developing and managing our legislative and policy strategy, including developing our legislative agenda, legislative testimony, bill analysis, and stakeholder management. They're also the principal policy advisor to the executive management team on legislative and budget proposals impacting the agency.

The Policy and Rules Manager supervises staff in our Policy and Legislative Affairs division, prepares position briefs, decision memos, reports, coordinates rule-making for the agency, and drafts and adopts rules on behalf of the agency.

If you're interested or know someone who might be, encourage them to apply soon!


 

See most recent earthquakes in our area - are you ready for the big one?

 

We're getting ready for tomorrow's Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill by cleaning out all the stuff under our desk - how about you? It's been a long time since the Nisqually Quake, but if you lived in Washington state then, you probably remember where you were and what it felt like. 

 

Some of us here in Olympia - only miles from the epicenter - heard what sounded like a freight train. Others saw the ground move like water. Are you ready for the next one? 

 

Check out the earthquake tracker on KIRO's mynorthwest.com. It'll show you the most recent quake, how big it was and where it occurred.  

And don't forget about earthquake insurance - here's what you need to know.

How to report insurance fraud in Washington state

Our agency -- Washington state's insurance regulator -- handles a wide variety of complaints about insurance fraud by individuals and by businesses.

To report insurance fraud or scams, please see our online reporting form.

We also offer tips to avoid insurance scams, starting with the old-but-true advice that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

We also have some tips on how to identify and report Medicare fraud and abuse, such as being billed for services you didn't receive.