Health Insurance in Washington | OnlineHealthIns.com

Washington Health Insurance Guide

Washington runs its own marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder, and has expanded Medicaid to cover more low-income residents.

Marketplace Type	State-Based Marketplace
Medicaid Expanded	Yes
Department of Insurance	Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
Open Enrollment	As a State-Based Marketplace, the state sets its own open enrollment window and can extend it beyond the federal dates, so residents should confirm exact deadlines on the state exchange site each year.

Marketplace Type

State-Based Marketplace

Medicaid Expanded

Yes

Department of Insurance

Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Open Enrollment

As a State-Based Marketplace, the state sets its own open enrollment window and can extend it beyond the federal dates, so residents should confirm exact deadlines on the state exchange site each year.

Washington operates its own state-based marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder, rather than using HealthCare.gov. Residents shop for plans and apply for subsidies directly through the state exchange.

Washington expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level generally qualify for Apple Health, the state's Medicaid program, instead of needing a subsidized marketplace plan.

Washington has also experimented with public option style plans, called Cascade Care plans, sold by private insurers but built to state-set standards for cost sharing, so it's worth comparing those alongside standard marketplace plans. Shoppers on the east side of the state versus the Seattle metro area should confirm network coverage, since provider access can differ across Washington's geography.

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Washington Health Insurance FAQ

What is Washington's health insurance marketplace called?

Washington Healthplanfinder, the state's own exchange.

What are Cascade Care plans?

Public option style plans sold by private insurers in Washington, built to state-set standards for cost sharing, available alongside standard marketplace plans.