Open enrollment begins today on Washington Healthplanfinder

Open enrollment into health and dental plans for 2025 begin today, Nov. 1, through Washington Healthplanfinder, operated by Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange). Now, through Jan. 15, 2025, all Washingtonians who do not get their health insurance through an employer, spouse or government program can visit wahealthplanfinder.org to shop, compare and purchase health and dental plans for next year.

“We’ve made tremendous strides in providing access to health coverage for more than a million Washingtonians over the last decade,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Policies such as the Affordable Care Act, the first-in-the-nation public option and Cascade Care Savings allow us to offer lower and middle-income people plans that start at less than $10 a month. Consumers deserve affordable choices and quality coverage, and we’ll continue working to deliver both.”

Washingtonians can find health and dental plans as well as savings by visiting wahealthplanfinder.org, calling the Customer Support Center or by working with a trusted resource in their local community. Savings include enhanced premium federal tax credits, state-funded Cascade Care Savings and cost-sharing reductions.

The uninsured rate in Washington state has gone from 14% in 2010 to 5% today. Cascade Care Savings reduces the monthly premium for Washington individuals and families who make 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) — an annual income of $37,650 per year for a one-person household and $64,550 for a three-person household. These savings are only available to those who qualify and buy a Cascade Care Gold or Silver plan. Further, Cascade Select (public option) plans are now offering more affordable health insurance in all 39 counties.

Washingtonians who apply by Dec. 15 will have a plan that starts to cover them Jan. 1, 2025. Those who apply by the deadline of Jan. 15, 2025, will have a plan starting Feb. 1, 2025.

“It is important for everyone to have access to the health insurance they and their family needs to protect themselves. Visit Washington Healthplanfinder, work with a trusted resource in your local community or call our Customer Support Center during open enrollment to apply,” Exchange CEO Ingrid Ulrey said. “Even those who chose to have their plan auto-rewed should visit wahealthplanfinder.org to review their chosen plan and make sure they have the best coverage for 2025.”

Tips for customers

Navigating health insurance options can be complicated. In addition to online shopping at wahealthplanfinder.org, customers can call the Exchange Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633 (TTY: 1-855-627-9604) for remote support in multiple languages, or be connected with a trusted resource in their community by visiting Support in Your Area to find a nearby in-person assister. 

 Washington Healthplanfinder’s Customer Support Center has extended hours during open enrollment. The center will be open and ready to help customers from 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on the weekends and holidays. The following adjustments were made to the center’s schedule; extended hours are subject to change:

• Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29 (Native American Heritage Day / Thanksgiving): Closed
• Saturday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 13: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 14: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 24: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day): Closed
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day): Closed
• Saturday, Jan. 11: 10. a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Jan. 15: 7:30 a.m. to midnight
• Monday, Jan. 20: Closed

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

About Washington Healthplanfinder™

Washington Healthplanfinder^TM 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, 2024, to Jan. 15, 2025. 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.