Apply by Dec. 15 to have insurance starting Jan. 1, or by Jan. 15 for a health plan beginning Feb. 1
Washingtonians who need health insurance coverage for 2024 can shop for plans and may gain access to federal and state subsidies on wahealthplanfinder.org, now through Jan. 15.
People who pick a plan before midnight on Dec. 15 will have coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2024.
OLYMPIA, Wash. – The deadline to enroll in a 2024 health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder with a Jan. 1 start date is approaching fast. All Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, can visit waheathplanfinder.org by midnight on Dec. 15 to shop, compare and sign-up for a health or dental plan for 2024. Help through the Customer Support Center will be available from 7:30 a.m. to midnight on Dec. 15.
Fourteen health insurers have been approved to sell in Washington's 2024 individual health insurance market. Insurers requested an average increase of 9.11% but 8.94% was approved. How much premium someone pays will depend on the plan they select, the number of people covered, their age, whether or not they smoke and where they live.
From Nov. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024, Washingtonians can shop for and purchase qualified health and dental plans and secure insurance for 2024. Olympia
Today, Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is launching the annual WA HealthPlanFinder open enrollment period, with an offering of 82 health care plans and 12 dental plans that comply with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. When people shop WA HealthPlanFinder , federal and state subsidies based on income are automatically applied.
Individual market open enrollment starts Nov. 1; preview available now on Washington Healthplanfinder
New this year – all Washingtonians, regardless of citizenship status, will have opportunity to shop for and purchase qualified health and dental plans for 2024
Today, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) released a Data Snapshot Report, which shows the availability of affordable, Cascade Care plans are proving critical to keeping people covered and advancing equity during the Medicaid unwind.
Now that COVID-era protections have expired, Washington, like all states, has resumed regular annual eligibility checks for people covered by our state Medicaid program, Washington Apple Health. For the past year, the Exchange has joined partners across our state, led by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), to ensure Apple Health customers watch out for and respond to renewal notices.
A few weeks ago, the Washington HealthPlanFinder announced that 2024 ACA individual market rates for unsubsidized enrollees would be increasing by an average of roughly 8.9% overall (small group plan rate changes hadn't been finalized yet, though the requested increases averaged around 8.3%).
Note: The rule below actually doesn't apply to health insurance carriers, who I presume are bound by other federal and state transparency provisions in the ACA and other laws/regulations; it's primarily focused on auto and homeowner's insurance policies. I found it noteworthy enough to include here regardless, given my annual ACA rate filing project.
Rule adopted requiring insurers to tell you why your premium is going up
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has adopted a rule that requires insurance companies to explain premium increases to their policyholders in language they can understand.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Fourteen health insurers filed an average requested rate increase of 9.11% for Washington's individual health insurance market. The proposed plans and their rates are currently under review and final decisions will be made this fall.
"Nearly 250,000 people in Washington state get their health coverage through our individual market,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “I'm pleased that so many insurers are filing plans again and to see such healthy competition. Now, we'll spend the next few months closely reviewing the companies' requests and the assumptions they’re making to be sure any rate change is justified.”
Apple Health (Medicaid) renewal letters have begun mailing
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange), and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) have begun mailing letters to Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) clients reminding them to update their contact information and renew coverage to see if they still qualify.
For the first time in over three years, people on Apple Health could lose coverage if their family income has gone up. Federal requirements during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) led to income checks being suspended to keep clients enrolled in Apple Health during the pandemic. However, last December’s federal omnibus spending bill directed states to resume evaluating eligibility of Medicaid enrollees on April 1 to wind down COVID-19 pandemic emergency measures.
