The Standard Health Questionnaire (SHQ) (www.wship.org) (PDF, 747KB) is part of the application you receive when you apply to buy individual health insurance in Washington state. Insurers use the SHQ to determine if you qualify for coverage.

The SHQ is a list of health conditions and each condition has a score value.

Note:  Before you apply for health insurance, you can look up your score (www.wship.org) (PDF, 35KB).

How to take the SHQ

When you fill out the SHQ, you must mark "yes" beside any health conditions you have. 

After you turn in your application, the insurance company adds up your "yes" responses to get your score. If your score is:

• 324 or below, the company will give you insurance.
• 325 or above, the company may deny you coverage and tell you about other health insurance options.

Do I have to take the SHQ when I apply for individual health insurance?

Yes, unless you qualify for an exemption. Page 2 of the SHQ (www.wship.org) (PDF, 163KB) lists the exemptions.

If you qualify for an exemption (about 25 percent of people qualify) you do not complete the health questionnaire and you may apply to the health carrier without completing it. The insurance company will ask you for information to prove you qualify for the exemption.

Updated 04/04/2013