Washington Health Benefit Exchange announces key dates and health insurance changes for 2025; enhanced federal premium tax credits and Cascade Care Savings expected to drive record high enrollment in 2025
Today, Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) announced open enrollment through wahealthplanfinder.org for individual health and dental plans for calendar year 2025. In preparation for the launch, Washington Healthplanfinder will be closed on Oct. 31.
Open enrollment: Nov. 1, 2024 – Jan. 15, 2025.
Reminder: Enroll by Dec. 15, 2024, to begin coverage Jan. 1, 2025.
During open enrollment, all Washingtonians who do not get their health insurance through an employer, spouse or government program can visit Washington Healthplanfinder to shop, compare and purchase health and dental plans for next year.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) and Health Care Authority (HCA) are pleased to announce Cascade Select will be available in all 39 Washington counties in 2025, with the addition of the two final counties: Lincoln and Grays Harbor.
“Cascade Select has grown significantly since it launched in 2021, with more than 75,000 Washington Healthplanfinder™ customers enrolled today,” reported Ingrid Ulrey, Chief Executive Officer for the Exchange. “In 2025, Cascade Select will be the lowest premium in 26 counties for silver health plans. Cascade Select has lower premiums compared to other health plans on the market because of the unique health care cost controls that save more money on premiums for consumers.”
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Thirteen health insurers filed an average requested rate increase of 11.3% 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.
"I recognize that any proposed increase in price is deeply upsetting to those struggling to pay for coverage today,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “People should know that these rates are not final and my office will be carefully reviewing each request to validate the assumptions being made by our state’s insurers. We will do everything under our authority ensure that any rate changes are justified."
Nearly one-third of Washington residents receive access to their health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder
More than 253,000 Washingtonians enrolled in a qualified health plan (QHP) through Washington Healthplanfinder for plan year 2024.
Approximately 81% of QHP customers are receiving Cascade Care Savings (Washington’s state subsidy) and/or are eligible for federal premium subsidies.
Almost 90,000 people receiving Cascade Care Savings save an average of $514 per member per month in combined federal and state subsidies, for an average net premium of $68.
Enrollment into health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder continues to grow, with a record number of more than 253,000 Washingtonians signing up for a plan for 2024. Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) released its Spring 2024 Enrollment Report today, reflecting upon the success of its most recent open enrollment period, which ran from Nov. 1, 2023, through Jan. 15, 2024.
Over the past several months, a handful of community pharmacies in states where abortion remains legal have begun to take advantage of a new rule that allows them to fill prescriptions for the abortion pill mifepristone. Prior to the rule change, which was finalized last January by the Food and Drug Administration, pregnant people had to get the drug directly from their doctor or by mail if using telemedicine, depending on the laws in their state.
Reproductive health experts have said relaxing that requirement could help ease the growing burden on abortion clinics in states where abortion is legal. And perhaps nowhere is the potential for that greater than in Washington state, where efforts are underway to open up access to medication abortion in a radical new way: by training pharmacists not only to dispense abortion pills but also to prescribe them to their walk-in patients.
More than 273,000 Washingtonians signed up for health insurance coverage
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) ended 2024 open enrollment (Nov. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2024) with a record 273,000 Washingtonians signed up for health insurance coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder the state’s online health insurance marketplace. This historic high represents an increase of more than 18% over 2023.
About 52,000 new customers gained coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, a 40% increase over last year, and another record high. New customers include those who transitioned from Apple Health coverage, and those, for the first time ever, who are eligible regardless of immigration status. More customers than ever (86,000) also signed up for dental coverage.
Record numbers sign-up for 2024 health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder as deadline nears
Jan. 15 is the last day to sign up for health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder outside of special enrollment — plans will start Feb. 1
A record number of Washingtonians, more than 263,000, had their health insurance renewed or newly signed-up for a plan since open enrollment began on Nov. 1. This does not include those who are on Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). More than 55,000 Washingtonians also renewed their dental insurance, while more than 21,000 newly signed-up for dental coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. Washingtonians have until Jan. 15 to sign-up for a 2024 health or dental plan through Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment.
Washingtonians can still enroll in or change their plan for a Feb. 1, 2024, effective date.
Dec. 15, was the last day to buy a 2024 health plan for it to begin on Jan. 1, 2024, for all Washingtonians regardless of citizenship status. However, it’s not too late for customers to enroll in, or change, their 2024 plan at Washington Healthplanfinder. If enrollment or a change in a plan happens by Jan. 15, coverage can start on Feb. 1.
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.
