Washington has many good health insurance options.
Health insurance in Washington is fairly robust, with a wide variety of public and private plans available. As elsewhere, you can get health insurance either through your employer or buy it directly from a private insurance company. If you're self employed, you have the option of developing your own health care insurance. If you're low income, age 65 and older, disabled or a state worker, you may qualify for any of several low-cost insurance plans. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner provides a comprehensive guide to health insurance options for the public.
Employer-based Insurance and Self-employed Insurance
In Washington, as elsewhere in the country, many individuals opt for health insurance for themselves and any dependents through their employer. Employer-based policies can vary; however, generally they tend to be among the most generous and comprehensive health insurance plans available. The plans offered also tend to have a wide degree of freedom in choosing providers and utilizing health care services.
The self employed and owners of small businesses of fewer than 50 people may join the Health Insurance Partnership, a new health insurance program in Washington that provides generous coverage to small businesses. They may also join other small-group plans. Under recent changes to the law, single-person companies now qualify for small group plans.
Buying Directly from An Insurance Company
Most people who don't get health insurance through their employer buy it directly from an insurance company. However, this choice has a caveat. Until President Obama's Affordable Care Act goes fully into effect in 2014, it will still be possible for insurance companies to deny you coverage based on your health status. All of the private health insurance providers in Washington require applicants to fill out a health questionnaire, and will use this information to selectively choose whom they wish to cover. Those who are ineligible for private coverage may choose instead to purchase coverage from the Washington State Health Insurance Pool, a high-risk alternative market that will exist until 2014. There is also a temporary federal high-risk pool that is operating alongside the state pool, until 2014, available to those who have been uninsured for at least six months.
Washington Basic Health
Basic Health is Washington state's subsidized low-cost public health insurance program. Qualifying applicants must meet strict eligibility guidelines. Due to budget limits and the sour national economy, as of 2011, Basic Health is not enrolling any new members, but there is a waiting list for qualified individuals.
Basic Health determines premiums by using gross family income and family size information. Benefits under Basic Health are comprehensive, with low co-pays. The annual deductible is $250, and the out-of-pocket maximum, as of 2011, is $1,500 per year for many services, including catastrophic services such as hospital stays.
Washington Health Program
A complement to Basic Health, Washington Health, is the next step up on the ladder of low-cost health insurance. Eligibility requirements are still strict, but not as strict as those qualifying for Basic Health, and there is no waiting list. You also have greater say in choosing your doctor. The tradeoff is that the insurance costs are more; however, there are annual limits on coverage, as of 2011, and can range anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000 depending on the plan you chose. Washington Health is a venture in partnership with the Community Health Plan of Washington.
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