OLYMPIA — Insurance carriers will be required to provide reimbursement to physicians for counseling they give to patients on the COVID-19 vaccines until Aug. 5.

The office of Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced the extension in a press release late last week.

“The commissioner finds that the state of emergency caused by the ongoing (coronavirus) outbreak remains in effect. As a result there is a continued need to ensure access to healthcare. In the insurance commissioner’s judgment, the circumstances warrant the extension of the duration of (the emergency order,” according to the order.