WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Get answers to your insurance shopping questions

Starting in October of 2013, all Washingtonians will be able to shop for insurance using the Washington Healthplanfinder which will:

•Protect consumers by making it easier to shop for health plans and truly compare prices, services offered and quality of care
•Help those with chronic health problems or high-cost illnesses get health coverage
•Establish minimum standards for consumer protection, covered services, healthcare provider selection and financial solvency
•Help people with serious health problems get affordable coverage through our state’s high risk pool or the Evergreen Health Marketplace

call centerThe Associated Press reported yesterday that six insurance companies have already been approved to join the exchange: Bridgespan, Group Health Cooperative, Premera Blue Cross, LifeWise (a subsidiary of Premera), Community Health Plan of Washington and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest. The rates of coverage plans offered by these companies, which are awaiting a final vote later this week, will vary based on factors like age, county, smoking habits and choice of plan.

As an example, the AP story cites a basic LifeWise plan with a deductible of $2,000 that currently costs a 40-year-old non-smoker in King County $247 a month. Under a LifeWise plan with a similar deductible in the exchange the rate would increase to $254 a month, but it would include coverage for prescription drugs and maternity care and cap out-of-pocket spending at $6,350 for an individual and $12,700 for a family.

Likewise, the $172 rate currently paid by a 21-year-old non-smoker in King County would increase to $251 a month under the exchange, but officials say that person would likely be eligible for federal subsidies, based on their income, to offset some or all of that increase.

Whatever plan you end up with will take effect on January 1, 2014, but if you have questions about your insurance options, starting today you can get them answered calling the toll free customer support line at 1-855-923-4633 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.