Signing up for insurance on the Washington Health Benefits Exchange is a confusing process, now more than ever. Cascade Medical is offering free, in-person help for Upper Valley residents. Two bilingual insurance navigators – Lora Zamudio and Richard Vazquez – can help:
- Find plans that fit based on specific medical needs or prescriptions
- Checking whether health care providers are in-network
- Explaining tax credits
- Determining eligibility for free or low-cost insurance programs, such as Apple Health or Medicaid
Appointments are 45 minutes to an hour. Bring a driver’s license, W-2 form or pay stub, identification number (social security or immigration information), dependent information and current health insurance information. By law, everything is confidential and objective.
Nearly 3,000 people in Chelan County enrolled in health insurance through the Washington Health Benefits Exchange last year. The state exchange – found online at wahealthplanfinder.org -- is the only place where Washington residents can compare insurance plans and receive financial help with the cost.
The biggest changes to Washington Healthplanfinder are:
- Several plans were discontinued for 2018, including Molina Marketplace. Coordinated Care will offer 10 plans to Chelan and Douglas county residents, including 1 gold plan and 9 silver plans.
- The website offers a new comparison tool, “Smart Planfinder,” that lets customers find plans based on how they use their coverage, prescriptions they need filled and their preferred doctors and facilities.
- Open enrollment is about a month shorter. Sign up for a plan is Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage. The last chance for marketplace insurance is Jan. 15 for Feb. 1 coverage. After that, you can only enroll after a life-changing event.
Schedule an appointment with an insurance navigator today by calling Cascade Medical at 548-5815.