Cascade Care implementation updates
Many Washingtonians don't get the health care they need because it is too expensive. The state's Cascade Care efforts aim to make health care accessible and affordable for every Washington Healthplanfinder™ customer.
Cascade Care does this by:
- Addressing costs through lower premiums, lower deductibles, and providing access to services before having to pay the deductible. This includes leveraging federal and state-based financial assistance, state purchasing power, and provider reimbursement expectations;
- Encouraging meaningful consumer choice with products of better value and like benefits across all participating carriers;
- Growing enrollment by attracting new enrollees and retaining current customers; and
- Ensuring continued market health through stable carrier participation, competitive product offerings, and a larger and more diverse risk pool.
Cascade Care news
Cascade Care legislation, , was passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2019. The bill created new standard plans and public option plans to be offered through Washington Healthplanfinder. Cascade Care is a multi-agency effort by the Exchange, Health Care Authority (HCA) and Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).
During the 2021 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed , directing the Exchange to establish a state premium assistance program, now named Cascade Care Savings, for Washington residents. In the 2021 State Operating Budget, funding was provided to provide premium assistance to Washington residents earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level, beginning in 2023.
Public comment period on proposed 2027 standard plan designs
Washington Health Benefit Exchange sought public comment on the draft 2027 standard plan (Cascade Care) options from Oct. 21 – Nov. 20, 2025. For more information, view the .
The Exchange annually develops standard plan designs by working with a wide variety of implementation partners — including agency partners, Cascade Care Workgroup members and Exchange actuarial consultants. Standard plans are called Cascade plans. All Cascade Care plans make it easy to compare by price because every plan has the same benefits regardless of the insurance company.
Standard plans are offered in every county in Washington. Every carrier must offer the required standard Silver and Gold plan(s) in every county in which they offer coverage. Carriers offering Bronze plans must also offer the required standard Bronze plan(s).
2026 Cascade Care Savings policy
Cascade Care Savings provides state premium assistance to Washington residents earning up to 250% FPL who enroll in Cascade Care Silver or Gold plans through Washington Healthplanfinder.
2026 standard plan designs
On Dec. 4, 2024, the Exchange Board approved three 2025 standard plan designs, one for each metal level — Bronze, Silver and Gold. .
The Exchange sought public comment about two additional 2026 standard plan (Cascade Care) Gold and Bronze draft plan options from Jan. 9 – Jan. 29, 2025. For more information, see the .
Washington Health Benefit Exchange held a public comment period on the draft 2026 standard plan (Cascade Care) options from Oct. 21 – Nov. 20, 2024. More information about this public comment period is available in the .
2025 Cascade Care Savings policy
2025 standard plan designs
HCA Cascade Select
Cascade Select plans are Washington state's public option plans, available exclusively through Washington Healthplanfinder. For more information about the procurement process, visit the Health Care Authority's .
Stay updated
This page will be periodically updated with information about Cascade Care implementation. If you are interested in following this work, with updates, upcoming meetings, stakeholder input opportunities and other relevant announcements. The public is also invited to attend Cascade Care Workgroup meetings to learn more about specific elements of Cascade Care implementation.
For more information on the Exchange’s Cascade Care implementation work please contact Cascade Care Workgroup at [email protected].
