Nearly 50,000 sign up for Cascade Care Savings during Washington Healthplanfinder’s 2023 open enrollment

More than 60% of Washington Healthplanfinder customers are in a Cascade Care plan

Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) released its 2023 Enrollment Preview Report today. Nearly 231,000 customers signed-up for a 2023 qualified health plan through Washington Healthplanfinder, including 37,000 new customers.

“We had our highest net enrollment gain and launched the new Cascade Care Savings during open-enrollment for 2023, resulting in our highest percentage of subsidized customers and highest percentage of plan switching,” Exchange interim CEO Jim Crawford said.

Nearly 50,000 Washingtonians are now benefiting from Washington’s state-funded premium assistance, Cascade Care Savings. This program is helping diverse, low-income populations across the state. Between Cascade Care Savings and federal subsidies, 76% of customers receive a subsidy that helps reduce their monthly premiums. The number of individuals and families receiving Cascade Care Savings is expected to grow throughout the year due to the monthly Cascade Care Savings Special Enrollment Period and the upcoming Medicaid unwind.

“The competitive pricing of Cascade Care plans this year, and the introduction of Cascade Care Savings has helped to more than double Cascade Care plan sign-ups compared to last year,” Crawford said. “It is not too late for customers who are unsure whether they qualify for Cascade Care Savings to visit wahealthplanfinder.org and sign up for 2023 coverage if found eligible!”

Cascade Care plans, overall, saw their largest growth in Eastern Washington — with Lincoln, Pend Oreille and Stevens counties seeing a more than 200% increase. Cascade Select (public option) also continues to grow every year since launching for 2021. Sign-ups for Cascade Select plans more than tripled between last year and this year’s open enrollment periods — increasing from 8,000 for plan year 2022 to 27,000 for plan year 2023.

Consumers who need help determining if they are eligible for Cascade Care Savings, or who have questions about their 2023 coverage can contact the Washington Healthplanfinder’s Customer Support Center from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The center will be closed in observation of Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 20.

View the full 2023 Enrollment Preview Report at wahbexchange.org/about-the-exchange/reports-data/enrollment-reports-data. A detailed information will be available in the 2023 Spring Enrollment Report in spring.

Reminders: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice of 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.

About Washington Healthplanfinder

Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals and families in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. Open enrollment for Washington Healthplanfinder is from Nov. 1, 2023, to Jan. 15, 2024. Enrollment reports and data are available from Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

About Washington Apple Health

In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplanfinder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority, www.hca.wa.gov