WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

More health plans coming to Washington state

health care providerAs part of national health-care reform, citizens and businesses in Washington state will have a new way of shopping for health care as of Oct. 1.

Also, more health providers are joining the competition to get your business. Originally, four health providers were approved to offer plans. Now, seven different health care providers are in the mix.

The new marketplace for health coverage– wahealthplanfinder.org — is a simpler, cheaper way of shopping for health care.

A total of seven health-care providers are now part of the marketplace, with each provider offering different plans that consumers can easily compare coverage. There are four groups of health plans: bronze, silver, gold and platinum.WAHPFMap

KING 5 TV has this quote from Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler: “There’s more consumer choice now in the Washington market inside the individual market for the exchange than we’re had on the outside emarket before health care reform, so this is a good deal. This is a real win for consumers. I’m very pleased with the action taken by the board today.”

The new health plans will also combine tax breaks and subsidies, so businesses and families can get cheaper coverage than before – or even free health coverage for their family.

According to wahealthplanfinder.org:

  • A family of four making less than $32,500 qualifies for free health coverage
  • A family of four making less than $40,000 may get up to $985 a month in tax credits
  • A family of four making up to $90,000 can qualify for $436 a month in tax credits