Nine Insurers OK’d to Sell Group Health to Washington Employers

Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer approved nine health insurers to sell group health plans to small employers in 2026.

The insurers are: Asuris Northwest Health, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, Kaiser Foundation Health Plans of WA, Kaiser Foundation Health Plans of WA Options, Premera Blue Cross, Premera Blue Cross HMO, Regence BluShield, Regence BlueCross BluShield of Oregon, and United Healthcare Insurance Co.

Following a review by the OIC, the insurers will receive an average premium increase of 12.8%, effective on Jan. 1, 2026. The original request for 9.5% was increased due to the projected surge in future health care costs, high medical costs in 2024, and increased health care requirements of insured members, according to the OIC.

Topics Carriers Commercial Lines Business Insurance Numbers Washington Oklahoma