Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
@oicwa.bsky.social
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The Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner regulates the insurance industry and helps people with their insurance issues and questions. Need help? Visit insurance.wa.gov or call 1-800-562-6900.
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oicwa.bsky.social
We’re getting ready for Thanksgiving – what do you prefer?

A.) Mashed potatoes
B.) Scalloped potatoes
C.) Both

Now that we have your attention, friendly reminder: Don’t want to make an insurance claim? Don’t deep fry your turkey 🦃 inside your house!
THIS OR THAT photo of mashed potatoes and scallop potatoes Photo of a man deep frying a turkey
November 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
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Movember’s a good time to remind everyone that health plans must cover mental health services the same way they cover medical and surgical services. Read more about your rights at www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-re... #Movember #MentalHealthParity #ReduceTheStigma
THIS MOVEMBER LET IT GROW HEALTH PLANS MUST COVER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES the same way they cover medical and surgical services. (more in caption) WA LOIC www. INSURANCE.WA.GOV
November 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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Need a break from your family, especially at Thanksgiving? 🦃

If you need to shop for a health plan, take a break and go to www.wahealthplanfinder.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 AM
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Commissioner Patty Kuderer asks health insurers not to eliminate broker commissions on #Medicare products. Read press release here: www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/new...
WA OIC Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer November 25, 2025 Kuderer asks health insurers not to eliminate broker commissions on Medicare products OLYMPIA, Wash. - People shopping for medical and prescription drug plans during Medicare Open Enrollment often need as much help as they can get. Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer on Friday urged health insurance companies not to take one source of help for those shoppers off the table. Read more WA OIC
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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TVW’s Inside Olympia Host Austin Jenkins sat down with Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer and Ingrid Ulrey of the Washington state Health Benefit Exchange to talk about the spike in 2026 health insurance rates. Watch the convo at tvw.org/video/inside...
Inside Olympia TVW host Austin Jenkins with Commissioner Patty Kuderer
November 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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Commissioner Patty Kuderer fined Regence BlueShield $550,000 for violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Read more here: www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/new...
OIC Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer November 24, 2025 Kuderer fines Regence BlueShield $550,000 for MHPAEA violations OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer fined Regence BlueShield $550,000 on November 24 for violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Read more WA OIC
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
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Thin Blue Line Benefits of TX ordered to stop doing business in Washington after it failed to process health insurance claims for retired state and local law enforcement officers.  Read more here: www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/new...
WA OIC Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer November 20, 2025 Kuderer orders Thin Blue Line Insurance to stop selling unauthorized insurance in Washington OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer on Wednesday ordered Thin Blue Line Benefits to stop operating as an unlicensed insurance company and selling insurance in Washington. Read more WA OIC
November 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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Watch our SHIBA program manager, Tim Smolen chat with AARP about #Medicare and how our program helps beneficiaries navigate open enrollment: youtu.be/HeZh9Jn9ev0?...
Caring For Caregivers Ep 19 - Navigating Medicare
YouTube video by AARP Washington State
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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Join us in honoring the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. 🪶You can learn more about the OIC’s tribal affairs office or read our full land acknowledgement at www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/tri...
 
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #nativeamerican
Native American Heritage Month We respectfully acknowledge that the land our facilities are on is traditional territory of many, indigenous tribes consolidated into the 29 federally recognized tribes of Washington... " Read our full land acknowledgement and more on our Tribal relations webpage. San Youth Leaded WA OIC SS www. INSURANCE.WA.GOV
November 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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Class is in session! Today’s lesson: #Medicare A, B, C and D. You can learn more about Medicare Open Enrollment at: direc.to/nCun
November 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
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Nine insurers approved to sell health insurance to small businesses in 2026. Read more here: www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/new...
OIC Patty Kuderer November 17, 2025 Nine insurers approved to sell health insurance to small businesses in 2026. Read more in caption
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
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Learn more about your right to Gender Affirming Care at www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-re...
A purple graphic depicting: Transgender Awareness Week is Nov 13, - Nov 19 Raising visibility and awareness about transgender and gender non-conforming people State law and the federal Affordable Care Act prevent insurers from discriminating against you based on your gender identity and related medical conditions. (webpage link with more in caption)
November 18, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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This Open Enrollment, shop smart & learn the about potential risks and what's covered when weighing health coverage options that don't meet Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards! www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/health-insurance/health-insurance-coverage/aca-vs-non-aca-health-coverage-options
A picture of a laptop screen depicting the website that is listed in the caption with bold lettering stating “shopping for health insurance online? Make sure you’re buying a real health plan!”
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 AM
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This week Commissioner Kuderer (pictured with the Insurance Commissioners of Montana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia) joined colleagues from both NCOIL and the NAIC to discuss emerging AI technologies in the insurance sector, federal impacts on the insurance market, and more.
A picture of five Insurance Commissioners in business attire standing shoulder to shoulder, smiling for the photo.
November 15, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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Thank you Digital Day Seattle for sharing some great tips of the trade from the OIC communications team! #PNWDigitalDay 📸
OIC comms team at Digital Day Seattle #PNWDigitalday Digital Day Seattle opening remarks
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 AM
oicwa.bsky.social
Under Washington state law, certain individual/family and group plans must offer these benefits. You can learn more this Men’s-Health-Movember at www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/health-insurance/how-health-insurance-works/benefits-health-plans-must-cover-under-washington-state-law #movember
THIS MOVEMBER LET IT GROW PROSTATE SCREENINGS are covered by your insurance plan (More about your rights in the caption) WA OIC WINSURANCE.WA.GOV
November 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
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🇺🇸Happy Veterans Day from the OIC! In honor of our nation’s veterans, our offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Pictured are some of the veterans who work for the OIC. Thank you for your service!
Photo of the OIC Veterans
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 AM
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One year after a bomb cyclone hit the Pacific Northwest, the OIC Answers podcast looks back on the questions it raised to help you understand wind 💨 damage and your home insurance. 
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
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Confused about the difference between Medicare & Medicaid? Take our quick and easy trivia quiz – then order our FREE Medicare Jumpstart Toolkit! It’ll help you stay organized during #Medicare Open Enrollment going on now: direc.to/nCuT
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
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Some detailed investigative reporting from NPR on credit scores & auto insurance. Have a listen and check out their zip code specific analysis to see how your auto rates might vary based on your credit score: www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...
npr November 6, 2025 Your credit history could be costing you more to drive "When the industry talks about a correlation between increased claims and low credit scores, that is a true statement," Kuderer says, "But that's not really addressing the issue of what I, as the insurance commissioner, am statutorily charged with doing, which is looking to see if the rates are unfairly discriminatory." WA OIC
November 7, 2025 at 10:45 PM
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We all love our pets. 🐶😻🐴And we want to make sure they are well taken care of, but you don’t have to break the bank. Here are some things to consider when shopping for pet insurance: www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-re...
There are a few things to keep in mind about pet insurance. Photo of Chevy the puppy. Swipe for more. OK, now that we have your attention! Shopping for pet insurance? Check for any restrictions on coverage for specific breeds inherited health insurance issues or pre-existing conditions swipe for more. OK, since we still have you: consider whether premiums fit your budget, keeping in mind that these costs may go up as your pet gets older.
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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Join Our Team at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
(OIC), we protect the public through fair, transparent, and consistent oversight of the insurance industry.
Explore our open positions today: www.insurance.wa.gov/about-us/car...
We’re HIRING
November 7, 2025 at 12:32 AM
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Open enrollment is underway and many people are experiencing sticker shock. Commissioner Kuderer explains what she’s been doing to urge Congress to extend the enhanced premium tax credits and what’s at stake if they fail to act.
November 6, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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Auto premiums have levelled off, but tariffs and other factors could prompt increases in the future. Commissioner Kuderer talked to NPR about car #insurance: 🚗
www.npr.org/2025/10/30/n...
npr October 30, 2025 Why car insurance costs have soared (and what drivers are doing about it) What's the item? Car insurance How has the price changed since before the pandemic? On average, premiums are up 55% since February 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Almost all of that increase came between 2022 and 2024.) Read more WA OIC
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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Make it Movember to remember! 🥸Started in the early 2000's, the #Movember movement centers men's health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Stay tuned, we'll be posting about men's health and insurance rights all month long.
THIS MOVEMBER LET IT GROW men's health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. (Be on the lookout for pro tips all month long)
November 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM