Washington Healthplanfinder today announced 11,497 Washingtonians have taken advantage of special enrollment periods since March 31 that allow them to enroll through wahealthplanfinder.org if they have a qualifying life event outside of the standard open enrollment period. The next open enrollment period starts onNov. 15, 2014 for coverage beginning in 2015.

Data also shows that nearly 700,000 residents are now enrolled in new free or low-cost health coverage options, with more than 147,000 customers currently enrolled in Qualified Health Plans. Including customers who are renewing their existing Medicaid coverage, more than 1.28 million residents have enrolled in health coverage throughwahealthplanfinder.org.

“We are experiencing the normal fluctuations of any health insurance risk market,” said Richard Onizuka, CEO for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “As people’s incomes change, we will see current customers transitioning on a monthly basis due to changes in their eligibility.”

Updated enrollments and dis-enrollment totals are included below:

*Note: These numbers reflect QHP enrollments and Medicaid enrollments through July 31.

Additionally, the Exchange has analyzed preliminary data related to customer “churn,” which means the enrollee has transitioned between Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) or a Qualified Health Plan due to a change in their eligibility and income. Results show a fairly even transition between both categories.

For example, since January, more than 8,000 customers transitioned from a Qualified Health Plan with tax credits to a plan on Washington Apple Health. Other customers were dis-enrolled from a Qualified Health Plan due to nonpayment or voluntarily chose to dis-enroll.

“The first few months of churn data illustrates the system is working as designed,” said Onizuka. “By providing one single marketplace for Apple Health and Qualified Health Plans, customers will experience a more seamless transition to a plan that continues to meet their needs, which will greatly improve their health care outcomes.”

As a reminder, those who qualify for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) may enroll at any point during the year, as well as American Indians/Alaskan Natives and Indians eligible for services through an Indian health care provider.

Residents who may qualify for a special enrollment period should visitwww.wahealthplanfinder.org.

Application Status Legend

• Qualified Health Plans: Includes individuals who have selected and submitted payment for a qualified health plan (private health plan).
• QHP Disenrolled due to Nonpayment: Includes individuals whose coverage has been cancelled due to nonpayment.
• QHP Voluntarily Ended Coverage: Includes individuals who voluntarily cancelled their insurance coverage.
• No Longer Eligible for Qualified Health Plan: Includes those who are no longer eligible for tax credits (including those now eligible for Medicaid).
• Medicaid Newly Eligible Adults: Includes newly eligible individuals who have qualified and enrolled in a Medicaid plan under the Medicaid expansion and does not include those who have transitioned from other Medicaid programs.
• Medicaid Previously Eligible but not Enrolled: Includes individuals (children, pregnant women, low-income families) who are newly enrolling but were eligible under old Medicaid eligibility rules.
• Medicaid Redeterminations: Includes individuals who were already enrolled in a Medicaid program and have had their eligibility status converted, re-determined or renewed through Washington Healthplanfinder as opposed to newly determined.