Washington is known for its diversity, and that extends to its insurance market. Whether you’re looking for healthcare coverage through your employer, through a government program like Medicare or Medicaid, or through a private health insurance plan, there are plenty of options available in Washington. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Health Insurance in Washington, including how to enroll in a plan through your employer, the healthcare insurance marketplace, or other options. We’ll also discuss the different types of plans available and how to choose the right one for you.
What Washington Health Insurance Consumers Should Know
Open Registration
Every year from 1st November to 15th January, Washington citizens have the chance to sign up for reasonably priced health insurance. If you don’t enroll during the yearly open enrollment period, you might not be able to enroll again until the following enrollment season.
Purchase insurance
Even if you are a participant in an employer-sponsored health plan, you are still able to purchase individual coverage in Washington. If you believe that your job coverage is inadequate for your needs, you may choose to do this.
Unique enrollment
You may apply for insurance from outside the open enrollment during special enrollment periods. You need to have relocated, switched jobs, become married, or had a baby in order to be eligible.
Marketplace Health Insurance
The state of Washington operates its own health insurance marketplace, and citizens can apply for financial aid through the same marketplace. The state exchange is the only method for obtaining the Advanced Premium Tax Incentive.
Health Insurance Coverage types
52.9% of residents in Washington State have access to health insurance through their jobs. 5% more people have an individual policy. 19.8% of people have Medicaid coverage, and little under 14% are Medicare beneficiaries. In the state, 6.6% of people lack health insurance.
Individual Health Insurance in Washington
When searching for insurance on your own, your possibilities are more. If you’re in good health and don’t expect frequent need medical attention, you can make little financial savings by looking solely for coverage that suits your needs.
If you only want to protect yourself in times of emergency, buying cheaper policies with high yearly deductibles & coinsurance is a good decision. However, keep in mind that you still have to pay the premiums and copayments.
Family Health Insurance in Washington
It is more challenging to shop for family health insurance because your personal medical needs and history only make up a small portion of the overall picture.
You can be in a healthy life and not require daily visits to the doctor or a physician, but members of your family might have long-term illnesses and long-term health insurance can cover your all medical costs.
In this situation, you should strike a balance between your family’s deductible, the monthly cost of your plan, and the level of coverage you have so that your overall healthcare costs are reduced.
What Options Does Medicare Offer for Seniors and the Disabled People?
If you’re retired or have a disability and need health care, you have a number of choices. To pay for your medication costs and additional fees, you can sign up for regular Medicare your prescription drug costs and additional expenses can be covered by Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement programs.
- Parts A and B are the components of Original Medicare. While Part B covers preventative care, medical equipment, medical supplies, outpatient operations, diagnostic tests, and medical transportation, Part A includes inpatient care such as nursing care, hospital stays, and home health care. From $1,484 in 2021 to $1,556 in 2022, the Medicare Part A monthly premium and inpatient stay-in-hospital threshold are both increased. In 2022, the average monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $170.10, up from $148.50 in 2021.
- All services provided by traditional Medicare must be covered by Medicare Advantage plans, which are managed by insurance firms. These kinds of plans can also include dental, vision, and drug coverage, among other things. In 2022, there will be 159 Medicare Advantage plans in Washington.
- If you are concerned about your capacity to pay for your out-of-pocket expenses, Medicare Supplement Insurance can be helpful.
- You can apply even if you have an Advantage plan for Medicare Part D, which offers several categories of prescription medication coverage.
Eligibility for seniors and people with disabilities for Coverage
You must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, over the years old of 65, or suffer from a qualifying disability in order to be eligible for Medicare.
If you have end-stage renal illness or ALS, you are eligible if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Benefits for 24 months.
The enrollment process for seniors and people with disabilities for coverage
You will be enrolled in Medicare automatically if you begin collecting Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security payments at least four months earlier reaching 65.
If not, you must submit an application online or call your neighborhood Social Security office. During the following times, you can sign up for Medicare:
- Three months prior to turning 65 and three months following that date make up your initial enrollment term.
- You may enroll during this time if you have never had Medicare. You can also alter your plan if you first acquired Medicare while you were young.
- If you missed your initial enrollment period, select this one. January 1 through March 31 is the general enrollment period for Medicare.
- You have the option of selecting Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, or Original Medicare.
- From January 1 to March 31, you can modify your Medicare Part C, generally known as Medicare Advantage, plan.
- Each year, from October 15 to December 7, you have the option to enroll, change plans, or discontinue your coverage.
If you lose your coverage or your eligibility changes outside of the typical enrollment periods, you can be eligible for a special enrollment period.
In Washington is Health Insurance Affordable?
The Children’s Health Insurance Program and Apple Health, Washington’s two main low-cost insurance alternatives, are available to residents (CHIP). Using funds from the federal government, Washington manages both programs.
You must have low or extremely low income to qualify.
Washington’s Medicaid program is called Apple Health. Low-income residents are covered for services like
- cancer examinations
- Inpatient stays
- Medical procedures deemed required by practitioners
- Medications
- Ambulatory procedures
- Regular care
Eligibility of Getting Apple Health Insurance in Washington
If you are over 65, disabled, caring for a family member who is disabled, or in charge of children under the age of 18, you may be eligible for Apple Health.
You must maintain an income below a limit based on the size of your household in order to be eligible.
For instance, if your total revenue is under $17,131, you can still be eligible for Apple Health, as can a family of five with a combined annual income of no more than $41,284 per month.
If Apple Health is not an option for you, the Health Insurance Marketplace has cost-sharing plans designed for low-income families.
Does Washington Have Access to Short-term Health insurance Plans?
If you need to fill a gap in your medical insurance, Washington allows you to enroll in short-term insurance policies. You are not permitted to enroll in a plan that provides insurance lasting longer than 90 days, nor are you permitted to renew a short-term plan after it has expired.
Only once a year may you apply for a short-term insurance policy. While short-term health insurance providers are permitted to refuse insurance for various health conditions, they are not permitted to do so for any pre-existing conditions for which you have received a diagnosis during the previous two years.
In Washington, how do I enroll in individual and family insurance?
The enrollment process is the same whether you’re searching for a family plan or an individual one. Before looking for insurance, you should give your demands some thought. The following are some things you should decide beforehand:
- The deductible you must meet on an annual basis
- How much insurance can you afford to buy?
- You’ve preferred the type of coverage for the medical
- Requirements of your family
Washington health insurance Company for Affordable Plans
In Washington, the following insurance providers now provide individual health insurance coverage:
- Community Health Network of Washington
- BridgeSpan Health Company
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest
- Coordinated Care Corporation
- LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington
- Molina Healthcare of Washington
- Providence Health Plan
- PacificSource Health Plans
- Premera Blue Cross
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield UnitedHealthcare
- Regence BlueShield
What Is The Cost of Health Insurance in Washington?
There are four different tiers to choose from while looking for health insurance on the Health Insurance Exchanges: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
The tiers classify the plans based on their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and copayment requirements.
To assess whether a more expensive plan can genuinely save you money, weigh what you’re getting in exchange for a premium
| Washington’s typical insurance rates | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Gold | $455 | $435 | $422 | $407 |
| Silver | $394 | $386 | $380 | $382 |
| Bronze | $343 | $305 | $280 | $287 |
Washington State Health Insurance Rate Changes
Insurance companies determine their own prices and submit them to state regulators for authorization. In comparison to 2021 rates, the average health insurance costs in Washington rose by 2% for 2022 across all three categories. The only metal tier that does not experience a rise between 2021 and 2022 is gold.
| Metal Tier | 2021 | 2022 | Change |
| Gold | $482 | $482 | 0% |
| Silver | $431 | $443 | 3% |
| Bronze | $317 | $332 | 5% |
Finding Washington’s Cheapest Health Insurance Options
Your income level and medical requirements will determine which type of health insurance is appropriate for you. The state passed legislation to increase Medicaid coverage per the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Families who make less than 138percent of the federal poverty line are eligible to sign up for federally sponsored healthcare.
You should evaluate the premiums and deductibles for each metal tier before selecting a plan, then determine whether it is affordable given your income and savings.
Each metal layer has been thoroughly examined below, with examples of when each is appropriate.
- Gold
- Silver
- Bronze
Gold
Gold is the highest and most expensive tier available in Washington. When large medical expenses are anticipated during the program year, these programs are frequently the best choice. Since this threshold is the lowest one offered, you may quickly meet it and then have the opportunity to coinsurance with the company delivering your health plan.
Silver
Silver plans are an excellent place to start your search because they have affordable deductibles and premiums.
In most cases, this coverage would be the best option unless you are in a healthy condition or expecting a bunch of quality medical expenses.
If so, Bronze or Gold coverage could be more suitable for you. If your income is under 250% of the federal poverty threshold, only silver insurance coverage will reduce your cost-sharing.
Coinsurance, copay, and deductible expenses will all be reduced due to a cost-sharing decrease. This makes Silver-tier policies the most affordable choice on the health coverage marketplace.
Bronze
The Washington Healthplanfinder marketplace’s bronze plans are the least expensive options.
These plans feature inexpensive premiums, but because of out-of-pocket maximums & their large deductibles, it is challenging to achieve the coinsurance level.
Because of this, Bronze tier premiums are the best if you are in good health and want insurance in case of an exceedingly expensive, unforeseen medical emergency.
Anyone in Washington may purchase a bronze plan.
Health Insurance in Washington FAQs
How much is health insurance in Washington State monthly?
For a basic major medical individual insurance plan, Washington residents can anticipate paying an average of $420 per person.
What is the income limit for Washington Apple Health?
Currently, Apple Health provides coverage to adults earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty threshold. For a single person in April 2022, that equated to around $18,754 or $38,295 for a four-person family.
Is there free healthcare in Washington?
For those who qualify, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) provides free or inexpensive health insurance.
What is the maximum income to qualify for free health care in Washington State?
For a single person in April 2022, that equated to around $18,754 or $38,295 for a four-person family.
How do I get Obamacare in Washington State?
You can apply at any time of the year because there is no open enrollment period.
Through the Washington Healthplanfinder, you can submit an online application for Apple Health (www.wahealthplanfinder.org).
What is the income limit for Washington Medicaid?
For a single person in April 2022, that equated to around $18,754 or $38,295 for a four-person family.
What is Medicaid in Washington State called?
Apple Health.
How do you qualify for Medicaid in the state of Washington?
For some low-income people, pregnant women, parents with children, seniors, and those with disabilities, Medicaid offers health care in all states. In some areas, the program offers assistance to all low-income people who fall below a particular threshold.
How does Washington Medicaid work?
Medicaid doesn’t provide you with any cash? Your medical providers receive paid straight from it. In your own home or if you dwell in a residential care facility that accepts Medicaid enrollees, Medicaid may cover the cost of medical services.
