Washington State: WA Health Benefit Exchange reminder that the election results don't impact 2025 coverage

via the Washington Health Benefit Exchange:

Now is a great time to sign up for health and dental insurance

Open enrollment now through Jan. 15; 2024 election results do not affect 2025 coverage

Open enrollment on Washington Healthplanfinder™, the state’s marketplace for private health and dental insurance, is going strong and coverage for 2025 is unchanged by the results of the 2024 election. Through Washington Healthplanfinder, operated by Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange), Washingtonians can choose from a variety of plans available in all regions across the state and access more savings than ever before.

“We are in an unprecedented window of opportunity for Washingtonians to access federal enhanced premium tax credits and state Cascade Care Savings to help save money on their monthly health care costs in 2025,” Exchange CEO Ingrid Ulrey said. “We encourage anyone who does not otherwise have coverage to visit wahealthplanfinder.org during open enrollment, (now through Jan. 15) and shop, compare and purchase a plan. People who qualify for both federal and state assistance can find a plan for an average of just $70 per month.

“While it is unclear what the new federal administration’s health care strategy will be, we look forward to working with Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, Insurance Commissioner-elect Patty Kuderer and the Legislature to continue to provide access to health insurance that is affordable and accessible.”

While subsidies for this next plan year are protected, the future is less certain. At the federal level, the enhanced premium tax credits are scheduled to expire at the end of calendar year 2025. If Congress does not take action, people in every state will face sharp premium increases for 2026 coverage and more than 3.8 million will lose coverage because they will no longer be able to afford it, according to analysis released this week by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Tips for customers

• Apply and select a plan by Dec. 15 for a plan that begins Jan. 1.

• Those who apply and select a plan between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15 will have coverage starting Feb. 1.

Navigating health insurance options can be complicated. In addition to online shopping at wahealthplanfinder.org, customers can call the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633 (TTY: 1-855-627-9604) for remote support in multiple languages or be connected with a trusted resource in their community by visiting Support in Your Area to find a nearby in-person assister. 

Washington Healthplanfinder’s Customer Support Center is open and ready to help customers from 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on the weekends and holidays, with exceptions. Visit Washington Healthplanfinder’s Contact Us page for more information.