Washington Healthplanfinder has developed last-minute shopping tips for residents who would like to take advantage of the second open enrollment period for Qualified Health Plans that starts tomorrow, Nov. 15, 2014. Residents can visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org at 8 a.m. to compare health plans and see if they qualify for financial help to lower the cost of their insurance.
Help will be available across the state for customers who would like to start the application process this weekend. The open enrollment period runs through Feb. 15, 2015.
“Our community partners, insurance brokers and toll-free Customer Support Center are fully prepared to start assisting customers with their applications starting tomorrow morning,” said Richard Onizuka, CEO for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “You can also visit a number of enrollment events taking place over the next few weeks.”
To help residents get enrolled, Washington Healthplanfinder developed these helpful tips and guidelines:
• Visit an Enrollment Event: Washington Healthplanfinder is launching a mall enrollment tour at five locations across the state. This weekend, customers can get help enrolling at Southcenter Mall and River Park Square (Spokane) from 11 am-3 pm on Saturday and 12-4 pm on Sunday. For additional enrollment events, click here.
• Locate In-Person Help: Customers who need help enrolling may also locate an insurance broker or navigator by zip code through the Customer Support link on wahealthplanfinder.org.
• Get Your Questions Answered: The toll-free Customer Support Center will have nearly 500 representatives available starting at 8:00 am this Saturday at 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633).
• Know Your Plan: New tools and resources are available at www.knowyourplan.org to help educate consumers about common health insurance terms and important information to consider when selecting a health plan.
• Review Your Options: Renewing customers should carefully review their expected 2015 tax credit amount and their new health plan options to ensure they are able to find a plan that meets their needs and budget.
Approximately 140,000 customers are currently enrolled in Qualified Health Plans. The Exchange expects to enroll an additional 85,000 customers in Qualified Health Plans by the close of open enrollment on Feb. 15.
“We’re continuing to make residents aware of the opportunity to enroll this year through our community partners, creative partnerships and statewide advertising campaign to ensure we are working toward our new enrollment targets,” said Michael Marchand, Director of Communications for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.
Reminders: Residents must select and pay for a Qualified Health Plan by Dec. 23, 2014 at 5 p.m. for coverage that begins on Jan. 1, 2015. Enrollment in Washington Healthplanfinder Business and Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) is year-round. Apple Health customers will receive a notice 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.
Residents who are interested in signing up or renewing their Qualified Health Plan may visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org starting Nov. 15.
About Washington Healthplanfinder
Washington Healthplanfinder is a new online marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder begins on Nov. 15, 2014 for health insurance coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2015. The open enrollment period will extend through Feb. 15, 2015.
About the Washington Health Benefit Exchange
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is a public-private partnership established in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) to implement a new health insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses. The Exchange is separate from the state and governed by an independent 11-member board. For more information, visit www.wahbexchange.org.
