Tag Archives: Washington Healthplanfinder

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Healthcare

WA Extending Special Enrollment Period

Washington State is extending the current special enrollment period for purchasing healthcare insurance from May 15 through August 15, 2021. This aligns with the recent federal announcement extending the special enrollment period for those using the federal marketplace. This special enrollment period allows currently uninsured individuals, and people both on and off the Exchange, the opportunity to benefit from these new savings.

The recently passed American Rescue Plan Act significantly increases the amount of tax credits individuals who enroll through Washington Healthplanfinder will receive, which reduces their monthly premiums. The Act also extends tax credits to middle-income Washingtonians who previously were not eligible for assistance and provides additional tax credits to all customers who receive at least one week of unemployment compensation in 2021.

Beginning May 6, new customers who apply through Washington Healthplanfinder will be able to see the amount of increased tax credits available through the new Act. The exact amount premiums will go down depends on where an individual lives, their age, and their income.

Current customers already receiving tax credits should keep their current contact and income information – including unemployment income – up to date in Washington Healthplanfinder to ensure they receive the maximum available benefit. The majority of these customers will not need to take action to receive additional tax credits and will see changes reflected in their June premiums. Customers will receive notification from Washington Healthplanfinder in April if any additional information is needed.

Customers paying premiums over 8.5 percent of their annual income will be eligible for tax credits for the first time if they report their income information. These new tax credits will be reflected in June premiums.

Customers seeking coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder can contact an Exchange certified Broker, Navigator, enrollment center or the Customer Support Center between 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 855-627-9604 to initiate coverage. Free help from local experts is accessible by visiting: https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/_content/find-expert-advice.html

Read more Frequently Asked Questions on the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

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WA Health Benefit Exchange

Washington Healthplan Finder Open for Shopping

Washington Healthplan Finder is an online marketplace for individuals and families in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. Washington Healthplan Finder 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 Mobile App.

Open Enrollment Nov. 1 – Jan. 15

Starting Nov. 1, Washingtonians seeking health coverage can shop more options this year – with financial assistance – by visiting Washington Healthplan Finder to sign up for health and dental coverage. The qualified health and dental plans open enrollment period for enrollment is from Nov. 1, 2020 to Jan. 15, 2021.

For those seeking coverage starting January 1, customers need to enroll in a plan by December 15. Those who enroll after that deadline and before January 15 will have a coverage start date of February 1.

Reminder: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families in need through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid).

About Washington Apple Health

In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, such as cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplan Finder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority: www.hca.wa.gov.

New Plans Offered in the Online Marketplace

New in the marketplace for 2021 will be Cascade Care offerings that enable consumers to shop, choose, and save from more options in all counties. Cascade Care plans offer high value, standard benefits.

Cascade Care is expanding access, choice, and value for Washingtonians at a time when they need it most. These plans offer deductibles that are on average $1,000 less than other plans, and cover more services prior to meeting a deductible, including primary care visits, mental health services, and generic drugs. Most customers will see that average premium costs and deductibles of Exchange plans are lower than previous years, including eight counties where a Cascade Care plans – either Cascade or Cascade Select – is the lowest-cost silver plan.

“As more Washingtonians are impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, having health coverage is crucial during these difficult times” said Exchange Chief Executive Officer, Pam MacEwan. “We encourage all Washingtonians who are seeking health coverage to shop Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment and find plans for how they’re living.”

“With new plans available, we encourage customers to shop around for the best health plan that fits their needs,” adds MacEwan. “For example, many renewing customers can switch to the lowest cost plan in their same metal tier and save money, and many customers can save more than $50 a month by shopping.”

More Information and Assistance Available

Washington Healthplan Finder 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 Mobile App. Anyone requiring help signing up for coverage through Washington Healthplan Finder may contact the Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633; TTY: 855-627-9604. They may also contact an Exchange certified Navigator, Broker, or Enrollment center who can answer insurance questions and help with enrollment. Free help from local experts is accessible via the WAPlanfinder Mobile App or by visiting www.wahealthplanfinder.org/.

During the 2021 open enrollment period, the Customer Support Center will be open 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. Additionally, extended hours are scheduled each month through the enrollment period.

Prepare for the Application Process

Before starting the application process, customers will need to gather the following:

• Legal names of all household members
• Birthdates for household members
• Home and mailing address
• Social Security Number or immigration documents (Families which include  unlawfully present immigrants may also apply)
• Income information (recent pay stubs, tax return, or W-2)
• Tax filing status
• Current health plan information
• Tribal membership (if enrolled in a federally recognized tribe)

Reminder: workers’ compensation benefits are not taxable income and should not be included in the household income figures when applying for benefits.

Prior Posts on Related Topics
Healthcare

Best Plan for Black Friday: Buy Health Insurance!

Open enrollment brings more health insurance plans, changing prices.

Washington residents buying health insurance coverage on Healthplanfinder should shop by December 15.

Many Washington residents seeking health insurance coverage on Washington Healthplanfinder will see more options and changing prices when shopping this year.   

This is happening because of new market entrants who are offering lower cost plans at all metal tiers. The result is that some residents will see changes to their tax credit as well as the opportunity to find new, lower cost plan options when buying coverage on the state’s marketplace.

Review Plans, You May Find Lower Priced Options

“Given the arrival of new plans to the health insurance landscape, we are encouraging existing customers to review their current options and make sure their plan meets their needs and budget,” explained Chief Marketing Officer Michael Marchland. “The lower priced silver plans mean changes to the tax credit available to qualified customers and this may be reflected in their 2020 premiums.”

Tax credits are calculated based on the premium of the second lowest cost silver plan available to consumers that plan year. This year, new lower priced plans are available in several counties, which means consumers may see a smaller tax credit for 2020 then they had last year. However, this may be offset by the availability of new plans with lower premiums.

The Exchange highly encourages customers to update their information, take advantage of their resources, and shop plans as other affordable options may be available starting November 1. To find the Navigator or  broker  nearest you: use the WAPlanfinder app or go to Washington Healthplanfinder.

Available resources for coverage

Chat will provide customers a platform to talk directly with customer support representatives—in English and Spanish—during business hours when they are logged into their user account.

Before Starting the Application Process

NOTE: The application process uses your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) figure for your household when establishing your entitlement levels and options. MAGI does NOT include workers’ compensation benefits (or Veteran’s benefits, or SSI benefits, and more). See a list of income types that are included and excluded, here, before you begin the application process.

Make sure you’re on the right site: WAHealthplanFinder.org. There are non-governmental sites with VERY similar looking website addresses – don’t be fooled into entering your private information into the wrong site!

If you’re a morning person, get a cup of coffee. If you’re a night owl, get a cup of coffee. Sign into your account each time you go onto the site. If you need to take a break, save your work and it will be there when you later log back in.

Gather all your information:

  • Legal names of all household members
  • Birthdates for household members
  • Home and mailing address
  • Social Security Number or immigration documents (Families which include unlawfully present immigrants may still apply)
  • Income information (recent pay stubs, tax return, or W-2)
  • Tax filing status
  • Current health plan information
  • Tribal membership (if enrolled in a federally recognized tribe)

Visit the Exchange for a complete step-by-step list of the application process from start to finish or a downloadable checklist. 

Exchange Customer Support Available

See our prior post, WASHINGTON HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE LOCATIONS FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT, for more information.

Open enrollment for 2020 plans begins November 1 through December 15.  During this time the Exchange Customer Support call center based in Spokane Valley will be open normal operating hours and ready to receive calls from 7:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.  Additionally, extended hours scheduled: