Washington Insurance Commissioner Fines UnitedHealthcare $30,000

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler took disciplinary action in October against insurance companies, agents and brokers who violated state insurance regulations.

A summary of cases of interest to Washington consumers is below.

Insurance companies

UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Seattle; fined $30,000

Kreidler fined the health insurer for law violations during calendar year 2017, including:

• Failure to maintain an adequate log of consumer complaints and claims appeals to determine if the company is handling them correctly.
• Mishandled certain prescription claims that had prior authorization for coverage based on the medical condition they were treating.

Agents and brokers

Brian Boldman Insurance Agency, Maple Valley, Wash.; fined $3,000

Brian Boldman, Maple Valley, Wash., fined $2,000

Eric Wiest, Newcastle, Wash.; license revoked

Lanceing Huntington, Snohomish, Wash.; fined $500

Claudia Vasquez, Tacoma, Wash.; fined $1,000

Carol Thomas, Port Orchard, Wash.; fined $2,000,

Other organizations

Murray Becker, Houston, Texas; ordered to cease and desist

Danny Hudson and Seattle Auto Appraisers, Houston, Texas; ordered to cease and desist

Since 2001, Kreidler has assessed more than $28 million in fines, which are deposited in the state’s general fund to pay for state services.

Related:

• Washington Insurance Commissioner Issued Numerous Fines, Disciplinary Actions
• Washington Commissioner Fined Carriers, Producers and Others $724K in June
• Washington Commissioner Fines Pet Insurer $25K

Topics Washington