Submitted by Washington Healthplanfinder.
On Sept. 13, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board certified the 2019 Qualified Health Plans and Qualified Dental Plans to be offered during the open enrollment period from Nov. 1-Dec. 15. These plans are offered to individuals through the state’s health insurance marketplace, which is called Washington Healthplanfinder and was created by the Affordable Care Act. Typically, people who purchase these plans do not receive insurance through their employer.
The Washington Healthplanfinder will offer plans in every county, in the state and 92 percent of customers may select plans offered by two or more carriers. However, only one provider will be offered in San Juan County, just like last year: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington for health insurance and Dentegra for dental.
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner calculated an average rate increase of 13.8 percent for 2019 health insurance plans, down six percent from the initially requested rate increase of 19.8 percent.
“While the uncertainty surrounding federal regulatory efforts is still impacting our marketplace, we are relieved to see statewide coverage and lower premium rate increases than initially anticipated,” said Pam MacEwan, CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “Because plans and rates change every year, it continues to be crucial that customers take time to shop before selecting coverage.”
More than 115,000 state residents receive financial assistance based on their income on the health insurance marketplace, which helps offset this year’s premium increases. Customers are encouraged to see if they qualify for financial assistance. Single households making less than $50,000 annually may qualify.
“We urge customers to use comparison tools available through Washington Healthplanfinder and our network of in-person assistance to identify the plans that best meet the needs of themselves and their family,” added MacEwan. “Rates vary significantly across carriers, and bronze-level plans may not always the most inexpensive option.”
The 2019 Certification Request reviewed by the Exchange Board includes a comprehensive, county-level analysis of the health and dental plans available through Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment. The full list of insurance carriers approved to offer QHPs and QDPs through Washington Healthplanfinder include:
Qualified Health Plans
• BridgeSpan Health Co.
• Coordinated Care Corp.
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington
• LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
• Molina Healthcare of Washington
• Premera Blue Cross
Qualified Dental Plans
• Delta Dental
• Dentegra
• Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest
• LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
• Premera Blue Cross
For those who use Washington Apple Health, or Medicaid, enrollment is offered year-round. Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice, 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year to renew again this year.
For more information about the health care marketplace, and to review available plans, visit wahbexchange.org/plans.
