OLYMPIA, Wash. – Health insurance provider Premera Blue Cross was fined $550,000 on Wednesday by the Washington state insurance commissioner’s office for violating the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), as well as directory regulations.
In addition to paying the fine, Premera must update its provider directories by October 31 in order to avoid further sanctions.
“These violations are a disservice to the people who rely on Premera’s health plans for their well-being,” state insurance commissioner Patty Kuderer said in a press release.
The MHPAEA requires that all health insurance providers explain the coverage limitations for mental health services in their plans. When requested by the insurance commissioner’s office, Premera was unable to do so.
Premera also violated numerous regulations for their provider directory, including failing to include basic information on accessibility and referrals. The company also had not updated their provider directory on gender-affirming care since December 2021, when they are required to do so on a monthly basis.
“Our laws are in place to ensure mental health services are just as accessible as medical services and we will keep holding the companies that don’t follow those laws accountable,” Kuderer said.
