Helping Washingtonians stay covered during the Medicaid Unwind
Medicaid Unwind
More than a quarter of Washington’s residents rely on Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) to pay for their health care. As of April 1, 2023, regular eligibility checks, which were paused for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed. Those with Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) based coverage will either remain eligible for Apple Health based on their income, will find health insurance through another source (such as through an employer, via a spouse or by aging into Medicare), or select a new plan through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) runs Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s integrated source for qualified health and dental plans as well as Apple Health. Working closely with state agency, carrier and community-based partners, the Exchange is working to help ensure Washingtonians who lose their Apple Health coverage do not experience a gap in their coverage.
Helping customers stay covered
Everyone who receives their Apple Health through Washington Healthplanfinder should log in to their account dashboard to ensure their contact and income information is up to date. Those who are found ineligible for Apple Health can sign up for a new health plan — such as our popular Cascade Care plans — through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Customers found eligible for Apple Health through Washington Healthplanfinder will be re-enrolled into that program.
- Taking action within 90 days of losing Apple Health prevents a gap in coverage.
- Apple Health-eligible customers can enroll at any time through Washington Healthplanfinder.
For questions about Apple Health eligibility, claims, or billing, contact the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Contact the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)
Phone: 1-800-562-3022
TRS: 711 through Washington Relay
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Customers who are no longer eligible for Apple Health must select a new health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder to remain covered.
- Signing up within 60 days of losing Apple Health prevents a gap in coverage.
- Most people losing Apple Health can get a high-quality Cascade Care plan for less than $10 a month.
- A monthly special enrollment period is available to those who are eligible for Cascade Care Savings — those with incomes of up to 250% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center
Phone: 1-855-923-4633
TTY/TDD: 1-855-627-9604
Business Hours: Monday through Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Outreach
Additionally, the Exchange is leveraging our grassroots assister network of nearly 3,000 brokers, navigators and Tribal assisters across the state to help affected customers take action to stay covered.
Current Outreach Efforts
Enhanced outreach efforts amid the Medicaid Unwind include:
- Increased mailings — postcards, letters, etc.
- Tailored emails
- Social and digital outreach
- Earned media campaign
- Population-specific materials
- Enhanced call center staffing and outreach
- Text messaging
Extra funding was provided to the following organizations to further extend their outreach to people in their local communities:
- Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers
- Better Health Together (Spokane area)
- FND Insurance (Pierce County Enrollment Center)
- Suzie Health Solutions (Wenatchee Enrollment Center)