Washington: @WAPlanFinder announces 230K QHPs to date, up 7% y/y; residents still have time to #GetCovered!

via the Washington HealthPlan Finder:

Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) reports that as of Dec. 24, over 230,000 customers have signed up for health coverage for 2022, an increase of 7% over last year. That number includes nearly 30,000 new customers who have signed up so far this year. Washingtonians still looking for 2022 coverage have until the final open enrollment deadline of Jan. 15 to sign up through Washington Healthplanfinder, the online marketplace operated by the Exchange.

Not only is 230K up 7% over the same point last year, it's already up 3.3% over last year's final OEP enrollment total (222,731 QHP selections). They'll have to add at least 13,300 more between now and January 15th in order to beat the state's all-time record set in 2018, however.

“Now is the time to act,” says Exchange CEO Pam MacEwan. “You can beat the last-minute rush by using Washington Healthplanfinder to shop and select a plan now. And if you need assistance, our Customer Support Center and in-person assisters are available to help.”

To get help reviewing plan options and signing-up, customers can call the Customer Support Center (7:30am – 7:00pm, Monday – Friday) at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 855-627-9604. The Customer Support Center will be closed on Friday, Dec. 31 and open on Saturday, Jan. 15, the last day of open enrollment, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Washington Healthplanfinder also offers a wide range of resources to help people navigate their coverage options – including in-person enrollment centers, virtual video or phone assistance, and the WAPlanfinder App.

During this year’s open enrollment period, the Exchange also embarked on a statewide “Adventure Tour.” At locations across Washington, Exchange staff have partnered with local certified assisters to answer questions and help connect people with coverage options. The Adventure Tour will conclude with events in Spokane on Jan. 7 and the Tri-Cities on Jan 9. More information here.

The Adventure Tour is highlighting new federal savings available under the American Rescue Plan Act. Over 70% of new customers qualify for these increased savings, which are only available through Washington Healthplanfinder. Those who qualifyreceive on average $440 in savings per month toward their monthly premium, bringing their average monthly cost for coverage to under $120.

“We’ve been hearing from people who are uninsured at our Adventure Tour stops who aren’t aware of how much they could save right now,” says Shawna Crume-Bruce, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at the Exchange. “We’re traveling all across the state encouraging Washingtonians to check their options before the Jan. 15 deadline because there really has never been a better time to get covered.”

The Exchange also encourages existing customers to update their information to see if they qualify for additional savings and compare plans to ensure they are signed up for the best coverage for their situation. The deadline for both new and renewing customers to select their plan for 2022 is Jan. 15.