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Washington Health Insurance Companies
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Washington Health Insurance Resources
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How to Get the Most Savings
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Washington Health Insurance FAQS
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How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Washington
Washington Health Insurance Companies
Washington has plenty of health insurance plan options offered by numerous insurers. To help you get started on your search, we’ve highlighted a few of the companies that operate in your state:
BridgeSpan
BridgeSpan Health offers individual and family health insurance policies in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Individuals and families have the option of choosing between Bronze, Silver, or Gold plans, with high deductible health plan (HDHP) options available at the Bronze and Silver levels. Additionally, BridgeSpan Health has developed simple-to-use web tools to assist its clients in making smarter healthcare-related decisions.
PacificSource Health Plans
PacificSource Health Plans offer several types of health insurance, including individual, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, group, and private. Health insurance plans are split into two coverage networks, SmartChoice and Legacy Health, with catastrophic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold plans available with each network. They also offer stand-alone dental insurance.
Premera Blue Cross
Premera Blue Cross, a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurance provider in the Pacific Northwest. This insurer offers healthcare solutions to individuals, families, elderly people, and businesses, with numerous Bronze, Silver, and Gold plan options available, as well as a PersonalCare option intended to help members cut costs.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Washington
If you’re looking for health insurance in Washington, the health insurance Marketplace is a great place to start. Marketplace health insurance, which was created by the Affordable Care Act, offers certain consumer protections, guarantees coverage for pre-existing conditions, and includes coverage for what are known as the “10 essential health benefits”:
- Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care)
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
- Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (including counseling and psychotherapy)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
- Laboratory services
- Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)
The ACA-compliant plans offered on the Marketplace are divided into different types, known as metal tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These tiers do not signal a difference in quality of care, though. The tiers differ in your out-of-pocket costs versus what your plan covers.
It’s important to remember that the Marketplace only offers the plans of participating providers. So unfortunately, while the Marketplace is a great tool, you may not be able to compare every plan available to you.
Whether you want a Marketplace plan, or a plan from a private insurer, an EZ agent can help. We work with all carriers in your state in order to compare all options available.
Over half of the uninsured in Washington who qualify for Marketplace insurance coverage could get a Bronze plan for FREE.
Washington’s Short Term Health Insurance Guidelines
If you’ve missed the health insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP), or if you need health insurance for a short amount of time, short-term plans are a great option. It’s important to note, though, that these policies tend to only cover the basics, and you can be denied one of these plans if you have a pre-existing condition.
There are some rules around short-term plans, both at the federal and the state level. Some states choose to have their own guidelines separate from federal guidelines, or don’t offer short-term plans at all. Washington has its own state guidelines: you can purchase a short-term plan for 3 months, you cannot renew your plan, and you can’t have more than 3 months of coverage from a short-term plan within a calendar year.
Washington Health Insurance Resources
Making use of the resources at your disposal can help you find the best, most affordable health insurance for you. One of these resources is actually your employer, so speak to them about your group health plan options. While employers in Washington are not required to offer healthcare to their employees, many employers do, and these plans typically cost less than individual insurance because your employer gets discounts for buying group policies.
Another fantastic resource is Washington Healthplanfinder, the state-run health insurance exchange. The exchange can be used to help you compare the plans that are available to you.
You can also look online for a government-funded program to see if you qualify. Medicare offers health insurance to people 65 and older and disabled adults. Medicaid offers low-income families options for affordable or usually free health insurance.
The best resource at your disposal, though, is an insurance agent. Your EZ agent can help you examine all of your options, including off-Marketplace ones. They can make sure that your insurance covers all of your medical needs at a reasonable price.
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How to Get the Most Savings
Washington has the lowest per-capita healthcare spending. Your state is ranked 50th out of all 50 states in terms of the cost of healthcare per person, with an average annual healthcare cost of $8,939 per person. But even though you’re lucky enough to live in the most affordable state for healthcare, you can still take actions to reduce the cost of your health insurance.
Your health is the best place to start, since insurers take your health into account when determining your rates. One thing they particularly look at is your body mass index (BMI). At a rate of 28.30%, obesity is common in Washington, so if you’re among this group, know that you can lower your health insurance rates by maintaining a healthy BMI.
Another factor that affects the price of health insurance is tobacco use. Health insurance for smokers can be up to 50% more expensive than for nonsmokers, so quitting will not only lower your overall healthcare costs but will also lower your insurance premiums.
But the best way to find the most savings is to work with a trained agent. The professionals at EZ are experienced at finding plans that are affordable for you, as well as at finding any discounts that you’re eligible for. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by working with an EZ agent. Additionally, we offer all of our services absolutely free!
Washington Health Insurance FAQS
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Does Washington require you to have health insurance?
No, Washington does not have a health insurance mandate, and there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having a plan, either.
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What is the cheapest health insurance in Washington?
The cheapest health plan will be a Bronze Plan, which can start as low as $280 a month. Remember, though, health insurance plan prices can vary depending on age, zip code, gender, and other factors. More than half of Washington residents who qualify for a Marketplace plan can actually get a Bronze plan for free.
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How much does health insurance cost in Washington?
The average monthly health insurance premium in Washington is $443, or $5,316 per year, with plans as low as $280 a month to as high as $890. But do not let these numbers scare you. More than half of uninsured people in Washington qualify for a $0 Bronze plan and don’t even know it.
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Which companies offer health insurance in Washington?
The top 12 insurers in your state are BridgeSpan Health Company, Community Health Network of Washington, Coordinated Care Corporation, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, LifeWise Health Plan of Washington, Molina Healthcare of Washington, PacificSource Health Plans, Premera Blue Cross, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Washington, Regence BlueShield, and UnitedHealthcare of Washington.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Washington
Washington residents have a choice of enrolling in a healthcare plan through the state-run Marketplace, purchasing their own plans directly from an insurer, or enrolling in a group plan through their employer.
However, you choose to enroll, it can be challenging, time-consuming, and overwhelming to find the right plan for you and your family. But EZ is here to help! Your agent will discuss your financial and medical requirements, as well as look for any available subsidies. We will compare all available health insurance plans after examining your data, we’ll discuss your options with you, and then we’ll walk you through the enrollment process step-by-step.
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 877-670-3557. You will be directly connected to a local insurance agent who can answer all of your questions and help you find the health insurance plan that works best for you.
