Health Insurance Open Enrollment Ends March 31st

Have you signed up for health care coverage yet? OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS MARCH 31, 2014!

The next deadline to apply, select and pay for a Qualified Health Plan is March 23 at 5 p.m. for coverage effective April 1, 2014.

Health plans purchased by 11:59 p.m. on March 31 will be effective May 1, 2014.

The next Open Enrollment period will be November 15, 2014 to February 15, 2015.

It is important to know that there is no limited enrollment period for Washington Apple Health (formerly known as Medicaid).  This means you can enroll at any time.  This is also true for those enrolling in the Small Business Health Options Program.  American Indians/Alaskan Native and Indians eligible for services through an Indian health care provider may also enroll throughout the year. 

Washington Apple Health is the new name for Medicaid.  If you have income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and are between the ages of 19 and 65, you may qualify for free Apple Health insurance.  138% of the Federal Poverty Level is approximately:
-$1,321 a month: single person
-$1,783 a month: family of 2
-$2,246 a month: family of 3
-$2,708 a month: family of 4 
-$3,171 a month: family of 5
-$3,633 a month: family of 6
-$4,095 a month: family of 7-$4,557 a month: family of 8 

There are several different ways to enroll: 

1.     Though the website at Washington Healthplanfinder.  The web address is www.wahealthplanfinder.org.  This is the fastest way to receive your eligibility determination for free or low-cost coverage.

2.     With in-person assistance.  There will be in person assisters, also known as navigators, who can help you enroll if you are not able to complete the on-line application on your own. If you live in King County, you can find an in person assister near you by going to the King County Public Health website.  The web address is www.kingcounty.gov/coverage. If you live outside of King County, you should contact the Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633 as soon as possible. Or you can go the www.wahealthplanfinder.org and click on the Customer Support link in the upper right-hand corner. 

3.     Over the phone: you can call the toll free customer support center at 1-855-923-4633. Call center business hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Help will be available in up to 175 different languages. Please be aware that customers should anticipate longer than average wait times.

4.     Find an enrollment event.  If you live in King County, you can find an enrollment event near you by visiting the King County Public Health website.  The web address is www.kingcounty.gov/coverage.  If you live outside of King County, you can find an enrollment event by going to the Washington Health Benefit Exchange website.

When you are ready to apply, make sure to have the following information available:

1.     Your household monthly income

2.     The Social Security numbers and dates of birth for each member of your household.

3.     Your immigration information, if that applies to you.

After the March 31 deadline, you can enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through Washington Healthplanfinder only if you have certain life events that allow you to qualify for a special enrollment period.  Qualifying life events that create a special enrollment period include:

1.     Getting married

2.     Giving birth, adopting, or placement of a child

3.     Permanently moving to a new area that offers different health plan options

4.     Losing other health coverage (for example, due to a job loss, divorce, loss of eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP, expiration of COBRA coverage, or a health plan being decertified).

5.     For people already enrolled in Washington Healthplanfinder coverage, having a change in income or household status that affects eligibility for health insurance premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.

Beginning in 2014, most people will be required to purchase health insurance or pay a fine.  For individuals, the penalty will start at $95 a year, or up to 1% of income, and increase to $695, or 2.5 percent of income, by 2016.  For families, the penalty will be $2,085 or up to 2.5 percent of household income.


The ACA exempts several groups from the individual mandate.  Exemptions can be filed for religious, financial, and other reasons.