Bremerton-based KPS Health Plans will continue to market its line of individual health insurance contracts under new state rules that require health screening for many applicants according to KPS president Elizabeth Gilje.

“We have remained in the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula towns and communities where people needed us,” Gilje said, remarking that this year marked the 54th year of operations for the insurer.

Gilje said she thought some applicants might be confused by the new health-screen rules which were adopted by the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) under legislation passed by the 2000 Legislature earlier this year.

“I want to assure our members and applicants that KPS will do our best to keep the process consumer friendly,” Gilje said, noting that because of the new law, members in older individual plans must transfer to new plans that comply with the new law.

“I encourage members who have any questions about this process to contact one of our sales representatives at (360) 478-6786 or toll-free at 1-800-628-3753,” Gilje said. She said the carrier believes it can minimize any disruption required by the changeover.