Note: Recently, the company WSHIP used to collect your premium and pay your medical providers suddenly closed its doors. WSHIP is working with a new company, but there may be some temporary delays in paying your providers. This should not impact your ability to get care or fill prescriptions. As of 10/28/2024, the WSHIP website is back online.
The Washington State Health Insurance Pool, known as WSHIP, was created by the state Legislature in 1987. It offers insurance to Washingtonians rejected in the individual market for health reasons.
What is WSHIP?
The Washington State Health Insurance Pool is our state's high-risk insurance pool.
With health reform, insurance companies can no longer deny individual coverage due to health reasons. However, health reform does not apply to Medicare Supplement plans. Insurance companies can continue to reject or limit Medicare supplement coverage due to health issues.
WSHIP Medicare plans
WSHIP sells the Medicare Basic plan to Washingtonians in two situations:
- People on Medicare who've been rejected due to health reasons by a Medicare Supplement plan.
- People who live in an area where plans don't offer coverage.
WSHIP non-Medicare plans
If you're already on a WSHIP non-Medicare plan, you can stay on it. WSHIP non-Medicare plans are not accepting new enrollees. You no longer have to answer questions about your health to buy an individual health plan. If you buy a plan through the Washington Healthplanfinder, depending on your income level, you may qualify for federal help paying your premium.
Contact WSHIP
For more information, call their Customer Service number at 888-277-9135 or visit online at www.wship.org.