11 Washington Health Benefit Exchange Enrollment Centers ready to assist for 2020 Open Enrollment

From the Washington Health Benefit Exchange:

RPEC note: This information is for those outside of PEBB who purchase private insurance and are not Medicare Eligible. For those who are Medicare Eligible, you can contact SHIBA with any questions concerning Medicare, as open enrollment started Oct 15 and continues through Dec 1.

OLYMPIA, Wash.— Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) today announced locations for eleven full-service enrollment centers offering in-person assistance to customers signing up for health and dental coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder during the upcoming open enrollment period starting November 1.

“Since 2016, the number of storefronts we support has grown from two to eleven,” said Pam MacEwan, Exchange chief executive officer. “This is clearly an important option for our customers, especially individuals who face obstacles to obtaining coverage, that would not be possible without the knowledgeable and trusted, brokers and navigators that staff each location.”

“We are excited to have established a new enrollment center in Everett, where more families can access in-person help in their community,” said Michael Marchand, Exchange chief marketing officer. “We are prepared to help customers whether they obtain coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, the WAPlanfinder mobile app, over the phone, or in person.”Along with ten sites returning from last year, one new in-person assistance location will be available in Everett. Last year, enrollment centers served over 5,000 customers from November 1 through December 15.

The Exchange has a robust network of customer support across Washington State to help customers enroll in coverage that meets their needs and budget, which includes over 1,800 registered brokers, and nearly 1,000 navigators, tribal assisters and certified application counselors. The Exchange also supports a Customer Support Center based in Spokane Valley that employs more than 300 representatives during open enrollment period –including bi-lingual and multi-lingual services and provides a free telephonic interpreter service.

With three weeks remaining until the start of open enrollment, all residents are now encouraged to schedule an appointment to meet with a navigator or broker in their area. Connecting with in-person help is easiest through the WAPlanfinder mobile app that uses a customer’s current location to provide contact information for and detailed directions to the nearest navigators and brokers. Additional over-the-phone assistance is available by calling the Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 1-855-923-4633.

Information about the eleven Exchange enrollment centers:

 

Reminders: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice of 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.

 

About Washington Healthplanfinder

Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals and families 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 current open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder begins on November 1 ends on December 15, 2019.

 

About Washington Apple Health

In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Free or low-cost coverage is available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplanfinder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority: www.hca.wa.gov