Whether you’re looking to buy health insurance for yourself, a parent, or your family, you’ll have a lot of information to dig through. Health insurance policies are very long and filled with technical details that you may be unfamiliar with. So, we at Health-Insurance.org have done some of the legwork for you, and compiled the below guide to health insurance in Washington. Let us give you the tools you need to find the coverage and carrier that’s right for you.
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Washington Health Plans for Individuals (WA)
Getting coverage for yourself isn’t as difficult as it may seem. You can subscribe to a group plan, such as an HMO or PPO for example, or take out an individual policy which can be customized to fit your needs. In Washington, health insurance rates are determined by community ratings, and state law prevents carriers from denying you coverage because of a health problem (the exception is if the company has reached its maximum number of enrollees).
If you do have a preexisting condition, however, you may be subject to an exclusion period of up to 9 months. In Washington, pregnancy is considered a preexisting condition. Creditable coverage is available.
Family Health Plans for Washington Residents (WA)
Ensuring the health and well-being of your family is an important task, so be sure to consider all of your options (group policies, individual policies, or subscribing to your employer’s group plan) when buying family health coverage. Also keep in mind the following Washington regulations:
- If your family is eligible for group coverage, Washington carriers cannot refuse to accept you.
- Exclusion periods for preexisting conditions vary, depending on the type of group plan that you have. Make sure you ask your carrier for their details.
- Group carriers may give you a universal waiting period for certain health conditions.
- If you have a newborn, adopted, or disabled child, and your family has an individual plan, he or she will receive special considerations.
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Pre-Existing Conditions and Washington Health Insurance
Oftentimes, Washington insurance companies will refuse coverage due to a preexisting condition. Two great resources for people who have been denied coverage else where are the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) and the Washington Basic Health Plan Insurance. Both are need-based organizations, but they can provide you with an avenue or a comparable alternative.
Many individuals in Washington are finding policies that suit them from private companies, and backing the coverage with temporary, six-month or month-to-month coverage policies. This plan though, is costly, as the applicant will be hit with large premiums, especially until the policy covers their preexisting condition.
Changing Health Plans in Washington (WA)
A common situation that forces people to have to change health plans is when they change jobs. If you’re currently facing this problem, there are a couple ways that you can maintain health coverage while you transition, and a couple of facts about employee health plans that you should be aware of:
- COBRA – COBRA allows you to buy coverage from the group insurer that your previous employer used for a certain amount of time, usually around 18 months.
- WSHIP – If you cannot find any other type of insurance, this public program can help.
- Waiting periods – If your new company offers you health benefits, they are allowed to give you a waiting period before you are allowed to enroll in their plan.
- Nondiscrimination – Although Washington employers are not required to offer health insurance, they must ensure that the medical plans they offer do not discriminate based on health status.
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