Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board Finalizes 2023 Plan Certification
Customers will see more Cascade Care options during open enrollment Olympia, WA
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) Board announced certification of 90 health insurance plans offered by 12 carriers for plan year 2023 on Sept. 15. The Board also certified 10 dental plans from five carriers. Certified plans have met the Board’s criteria to be sold on Washington Healthplanfinder during the upcoming open enrollment period, beginning Nov. 1.
"Carrier participation in the Exchange market remains stable and strong, with all current carriers returning for 2023,” interim CEO Jim Crawford said. “As in prior years, customers in every county have two to nine carriers to choose from and can enroll in a public option plan in nearly every county.”
This year, the state’s Cascade Select (public option) plans, launched in 2021, will be available in 34 Washington counties in 2023, up from 25 counties in 2022, and are the lowest cost Silver plan in 25 counties. Cascade (standard) plans, also launched in 2021, continue to be offered by all carriers and available in all of Washington’s 39 counties. Cascade and Cascade Select — together referred to as Cascade Care — plans currently account for more than one-third of the Exchange’s qualified health plan enrollment.
While plan premiums for 2023 are up an average of over 8%, rate increases and decreases vary across plans. In addition, resources are available to help Washington consumers. In August, the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), extended for three years enhanced federal premium subsidies currently available to Washingtonians who buy health coverage Washington Healthplanfinder. These additional subsidies were first adopted under the American Rescue Plan Act (APRA) in 2021.
New this year is Cascade Care Savings, Washington state’s subsidy program that can be applied to Cascade Care Silver and Gold plans available on Washington Healthplanfinder. Cascade Care’s high-quality plans provide standardized benefits, allowing for easier comparison across carriers and offer significantly lower deductibles and more services before deductible — including mental health and generic prescriptions — compared to non-Cascade plans.
“We are grateful to the state Legislature and Governor for creating Cascade Care Savings, which will work in tandem with federal premium subsidies for some consumers. Cascade Care Savings will help low wage and minimum wage workers and families get high quality insurance at prices they can afford,” Crawford said. “There is a lot offered in the market for 2023 and consumers should explore new options and cost savings available.”
Washington Healthplanfinder Open Enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15, 2023.
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. The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder will begin on Nov. 1. Enrollment reports and data are available from the 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