Your State Government's Oversight of Health Insurance in Washington
The Washington state-level Government has a role in developing, implementing and overseeing insurance requirements and regulations applicable to insurance business in the state. In fulfilling this obligation, the State Government usually tries to balance the rights of consumers with a business environment that promotes a robust financial growth rate. With regards to health care insurance, a State Government oversees the needs of three major constituent groups: consumers, insurance companies, and independent insurance brokers.
The Government's main process for assuring a fair health insurance system is the licensing and review of health insurance providers and brokers. For managing insurance companies, the State Government works to develop minimum standards for insurance products and performs routine financial statement reviews, ensuring that taxation regulations are met. For health insurance brokers, the State Government sets licensing requirements and qualifications, manages broker license testing and license issuance, sets and reviews continuing education needs, and collects broker licensing fees. The State level Government is in charge of researching and investigating insurance fraud, especially as it pertains to consumers or if it may harm the business environment of the state.
For state insurance consumers, the State Government has developed and published public information and consumer guidelines to help residents understand their best health insurance choices. The Government will also help resident consumers file insurance appeals with their health insurance provider when there is a dispute over the insurance policy terms. And, the State-level Government has the duty of overseeing the implementation of Medicare within the state where subsidized health insurance is available to children without health insurance and low income families, under-insured seniors, or self-employed individuals.