WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Need health care? Time is running out!

 The deadline for enrollment in health care plans offered through our state’s online marketplace – Washington Healthplanfinder – is rapidly approaching. March 31st is the last day to sign up for health insurance.

Ahead of this nationwide deadline, the Associated Press has compiled a handy list of what you need to know about open enrollment. Here’s a sample:

ALREADY COVERED? NO WORRIES
Most people don’t need to do anything. Even before the health care law passed in   2010, more than 8 out of 10 U.S. residents had coverage, usually through their workplace plans or the government’s Medicare or Medicaid programs. Some have private policies that meet the law’s requirements.

If you’re already covered that way, you meet the law’s requirements.

NEED COVERAGE? IT’S CRUNCH TIME
Chances are you’ll hear more reminders about health care this month. The push is on to reach millions of uninsured people.

After March 31, many people won’t be able to get subsidized coverage this year, even if they become seriously ill.

The next open enrollment period is set to begin Nov. 15, for coverage in 2015.

To learn more about the plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder or to see if you are eligible for a subsidy, visit their website at www.wahealthplanfider.org or call 1-855-WAFINDER

While trouble with the federal website has dominated the news, Healthplanfinder has quietly helped thousands of Washingtonians access affordable, quality health insurance for the very first time.

Last month, Healthplanfinder announced that enrollments through the website had exceeded 100,000. The expanded Medicaid sign-ups add an additional 202,000 residents to that figure, as well as 102,000 who had been previously eligible but hadn’t enrolled.