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From the Office of the Insurance Commissioner:
July 29, 2020
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler extended his emergency order protecting consumers from receiving surprise bills for lab fees related to medically-necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19 until Aug. 27.
His order applies to both in-state and out-of-state laboratories, when a provider orders diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
“We know people are under tremendous stress as we fight this pandemic,” said Kreidler. “We want to make sure they’re not worrying about receiving a surprise medical bill while trying to take care of their own or their loved one’s health.”
His order also encourages health insurers to notify his office if out-of-network laboratories are not publishing cash prices or if they do not accept the published cash price as final payment for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.
