Open enrollment for health insurance—the period when anyone can buy a health plan—ended January 16, but people in your community who still need coverage may have options. They may qualify for a special enrollment period or for an insurance program that’s open year-round.
People who qualify for Apple Health (Medicaid in Washington) can enroll at any time, and no special enrollment is required. Apple Health is free or low-cost coverage for people with low incomes. Immigration status is also a factor for qualifying. Those who are not eligible for Apple Health because of their income or another reason, and do not receive insurance through their job or Medicare, may qualify for a subsidy to help pay for private insurance sold through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Washington Healthplanfinder offers a special enrollment period to households with incomes at or below 2.5 times the federal poverty level. That’s a yearly income of about $36,000 for one person or about $75,000 for a family of four. Individuals and families at this income level, who meet additional terms and conditions, may qualify to enroll in Cascade Care Gold and Cascade Care Silver plans at any time. This is called the “Cascade Care Savings Special Enrollment Period,” connecting people to a selection of plans that offer more coverage and ways to save than other options. The plans and the special enrollment opportunity are available only through Washington Healthplanfinder.
The usual sign-up period for individual and family health insurance runs from November 1 to January 15. Insurance shoppers can enroll at other times if they lose other health coverage due to a job loss, a divorce, a death in the household, a move to an area where the plan is not available, or an income increase (that exceeds the Apple Health limit). People who are American Indian or Alaska Native can enroll in any month.
Get more details and instructions on how to apply for a special enrollment period at Washington Healthplanfinder.