OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Health Benefit Exchange reached another milestone recently when the Exchange Board provided final certification of health plans to be offered through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Washington Healthplanfinder, the new online marketplace where you can find, compare and enroll in health insurance in Washington State, opens Oct., 1, 2013.
Following initial approval by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), the Board certified seven health insurance carriers at a special Board meeting today to offer 35 Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) for individuals and families through Washington Healthplanfinder. Additionally, four insurance carriers will offer pediatric Qualified Dental Plans (QDPs) and one insurance carrier will offer plans in the small business market.
“This is the first time that many Washingtonians will be able to shop for quality health care coverage,” said Richard Onizuka, Chief Executive Officer for Washington Healthplanfinder. “These brand new coverage options will enable residents to find the important health care services they need at costs that best fit their budget.”
Eight additional multi-state plans, which must be certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before they can be offered through Washington Healthplanfinder, may provide 43 total QHPs. Multi-state plans are provided by OPM and private insurance carriers to drive additional competition in health insurance marketplaces across the country.
The following insurance carriers were approved to sell health and pediatric dental plans through Washington Healthplanfinder:
- BridgeSpan – King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Spokane
- Community Health Plan of Washington – Adams, Benton, Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Grant, Grays Harbor, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Yakima
- Group Health Cooperative – Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, and Yakima
- LifeWise – All 39 counties
- Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. – King, Pierce and Spokane
- Premera Blue Cross – All counties except Clark
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest– Clark and Cowlitz (Small Business and Individual Market)
- Delta Dental of Washington, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, LifeWise, Premera Blue Cross – (Pediatric Dental Only)
The Board certification ensures that each plan meets the requirements for Qualified Health Plans and the 10 Essential Health Benefits under the Affordable Care Act, including regular doctor’s visits, maternity care and hospital stays.
“Residents can rest assured that the health plans available on Washington Healthplanfinder will provide all of the important benefits for them and their family,” said Onizuka. “Financial help will also be available to help cover the cost of monthly insurance premiums.”
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest was the only insurance carrier that applied to sell health plans through Washington Healthplanfinder Business, which offers small employers added convenience and important cost savings. Plans will be available for small businesses in Clark and Cowlitz counties with up to 50 employees. A more robust business marketplace is expected next year.
Washington Healthplanfinder will allow shoppers to find a plan that fits their needs and their budget by offering side-by-side comparisons of health plans based on a variety of factors such as cost and physician networks. Plan options will be broken down into metal tiers including Gold, Silver and Bronze based on the level of coverage they provide.
More information about the health plans that will be offered on Washington Healthplanfinder is available at www.wahbexchange.org. For more information about Washington Healthplanfinder, please visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org.
