Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner

The time clock is ticking for Regence BlueShield to respond to the major problems identified in a market conduct exam conducted by the Washington Insurance Commissioner’s office.

This story has been modified after The Lund Report learned that the Washington Insurance Commissioner has not completed the market conduct study of Regence, however it is expected in the near future.

May 1, 2012 -- Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has denied requests from Premera Blue Cross (Premera) to strip some of its health plans of vital prescription drug coverage.Premera filed a request last week to remove all prescription drug coverage from its small employer plans. These are plans sold to employers with 1-50 employees. It also filed rates for adding several benefits to its individual plans but did not file the requiredcontract language.