OIC Answers on Insurance

Latest Episodes:

OIC Answers: Why is MY car insurance getting more expensive? Jul 29, 2024

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Auto insurance rates took a jump in 2023, which meant an increase in monthly costs for people almost everywhere. What happened? Was it a Washington-specific issue? Why doesn’t the Insurance Commissioner just say “no” to rate increases? And why did MY costs go up when I haven’t even wrecked a car or gotten a ticket in years? On this episode of OIC Answers, Senior Policy Advisor David Forte helps the hosts address all the questions and theories they’ve heard about auto rates over the last year.

OIC Answers: Is pet insurance worth the money? Jul 15, 2024

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More than 5 million pets in the United States were covered by insurance plans in 2023, but the coverages and costs vary quite a bit between pets and plans. Accidents, surgeries, prescriptions, illnesses and emergencies are usually covered, while dental care and behavioral problems usually aren’t — and pre-existing conditions remain a point of confusion. Washington has about 4% of the country’s covered pets, and in this episode of OIC Answers, our hosts ask a consumer protection expert if the policies are worth the money.

OIC Answers: Is this health care sharing ministry too good to be true? Jul 01, 2024

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Health care sharing ministries offer what may look like affordable health coverage, but there’s often a few details in the fine print that leave members short of funds when big medical bills come due. On this episode of OIC Answers, Deputy Commissioner Michael Marchand helps answer questions about what, exactly, a health care sharing ministry is, what they might not cover, and how the OIC works to prevent them from selling insurance illegally.

OIC Answers: How to avoid Medicare fraud⁠ Jun 10, 2024

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On this Medicare Fraud Prevention Month episode of OIC Answers, Kim McKenna — our Senior Medicare Patrol program coordinator — discusses the most common Medicare-related scams, how to keep yourself safe from fraud, what to do when you think you’re being targeted in a scheme, and how the Senior Medicare Patrol works.

For questions about reporting a concern to Washington State Senior Medicare Patrol, you can call our Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 or submit in writing at insurance.wa.gov/contact-washington-state-shiba-program.

If you are interested in volunteering with the SHIBA or SMP programs, contact us at 1-800-562-6900.

OIC Answers: What's a transparency rule? May 27, 2024

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Each episode of OIC Answers addresses a question about insurance in Washington state or the OIC’s work. On this episode, Andrew Davis from the OIC's Policy team discusses the state's new premium change transparency rule and what your insurance company is now required to do if you ask (in writing) about your premium increase upon renewal.

OIC Answers: Am I ready for a natural disaster? May 13, 2024

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Each episode of OIC Answers addresses a question about insurance in Washington state or the OIC’s work. On this episode, Amy Teshera from the OIC's Consumer Advocacy Program talks about what happens (from an insurance standpoint) after a natural disaster damages or destroys your home, and how the OIC helps people navigate the claims process after a large-scale event.

OIC Answers: What if I'm (Medi)scared? Apr 29, 2024

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Each episode of OIC Answers addresses a question about insurance in Washington state or the OIC’s work. On the second episode, Tim Smolen – director of the OIC’s SHIBA Program – returns to explain how the volunteer-driven Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Program works to help Washingtonians get free, unbiased advice about Medicare. Call SHIBA at (800) 562-6900!

OIC Answers: What if I don't (Medi)care? Apr 10, 2024

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Each episode of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s podcast, OIC Answers, addresses one question about insurance in Washington state or the OIC’s work. On the first episode, Tim Smolen – director of the OIC’s SHIBA Program – answers beginner-level questions about enrolling in Medicare.

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