Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler fined Regence BlueCross BlueShield and Asuris Northwest Health $750,000 each for violating insurance regulations related to consumer access and delayed claims reimbursement to providers, reports The Washington Times.
The violations occurred between January 2010 and June 2011. During that period, the insurance commissioner's office claims Regence and Asuris mishandled consumer complaints, misplace records of complaints, delayed payments to medical providers for consumers' claims and used uncertified Spanish-language translations in documents that resulted in inaccurate or unclear information.
Both insurers are owned by Cambia Health Solutions. A Cambia spokesperson said the companies are disappointed by the size of the fine but have agreed to pay the penalty in full by Sept. 22.