September 24, 2020
OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thirteen health insurers have been approved to sell health plans in Washington state’s 2021 Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. This is the second consecutive year the average rate decreased by over 3%.
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board is scheduled to certify the approved plans at a meeting later today. Washington state’s Health Care Authority solicited bids for Cascade Care, the public options plans, and is working to sign contracts with the successful bidders.
Two insurers - Asuris Northwest Health and Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan - intend to sell only outside of the Exchange. Their plans and rates are still under review.
See approved 2021 insurers and health plans by county (PDF, 217KB).
“These rate decreases are welcome news in an extremely difficult year,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “We know people are struggling economically and lower premiums will hopefully help. But just as we’re seeing our market stabilize, we face an even graver danger. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide the fate of Affordable Care Act (ACA) in November.
“Since he took office, we’ve watched President Trump chip away at the ACA and the critical protections millions depend on. He’s bragged that a better is plan is coming but he and his Republican Party never deliver. If he succeeds in getting the court to overturn the law, more than 12 million people nationwide and 600,000 in Washington state will lose their health insurance. The protection for pre-existing conditions will also vanish for everyone, no matter what the president says. Millions will face the COVID-19 pandemic with no health coverage. I really can’t imagine a more dire fate for our country.”
|
Health insurer |
Requested average change |
Approved average change |
|---|---|---|
|
Bridgespan |
0.03% |
-0.17% |
|
Community Health Network of Washington |
NEW |
NEW |
|
Coordinated Care Corp. |
2.10% |
0.93% |
|
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest |
-1.93% |
-1.87% |
|
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington |
-4.87% |
-4.86% |
|
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington |
3.44% |
-2.06% |
|
Molina Healthcare of Washington |
0.27% |
-3.19% |
|
PacificSource Health Plans |
3.54% |
7.63% |
|
Premera Blue Cross |
-8.99% |
-8.67% |
|
Providence Health Plan |
2.99% |
3.18% |
|
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon |
-4.71% |
-4.08% |
|
Regence BlueShield |
-2.71% |
-5.35% |
|
UnitedHealthcare of Oregon |
NEW |
NEW |
|
Total approved average* rate change *Based on weighted enrollment |
-1.77% |
-3.20% |
More than 200,000 people who don’t get coverage from their employer must buy their own health insurance through the individual market, with most shopping through the Exchange. In Washington, 62% of people who buy Exchange plans qualify for subsidies that help lower their monthly premiums.