The Washington State Health Insurance Pool offers individual health insurance to state residents who can't get coverage due to medical reasons. This plan provides comprehensive coverage, including a prescription drug benefit. Its premiums are based on your age and type of plan you select.

Premiums for WSHIP coverage are higher than commercial health plans. However, WSHIP offers some high-deductible plan options with lower premiums.

Types of health plans

WSHIP sells the following health plans (PDF) for people who aren't on Medicare:

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan: Offers comprehensive coverage, 20 percent coinsurance, and deductibles from $500 to $5,000.
Health Savings Account (HSA) Qualified Preferred Provider Plan (PPO): A high deductible health plan you can use with an HSA.
Limited Preferred Provider Plan A: A less comprehensive PPO plan with limited prescription drug benefits.
Limited Preferred Provider Plan B: Similar to Limited Plan A, but offers no maternity coverage.
Standard Plan: A fee-for-service plan, which pays the same level of coverage for network and non-network providers.

WSHIP also sells the Medicare Basic Plan (PDF) for people who have Medicare.

Plan costs

Costs vary depending on the plan (non-Medicare plans (PDF) or Medicare Basic Plan (PDF)) you choose and the deductible.
Generally, higher deductibles = lower monthly rates.

Contact WSHIP

For more information, call 1-800-877-5187 or go to the WSHIP website.

Updated 11/30/2011

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Need more help? Call our FREE Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900
or Email us at cap@oic.wa.gov.