Shopping for Affordable Health Insurance in Washington

The search for affordable health insurance in Washington should involve a rather thorough search. You are kidding yourself if you believe that quality medical insurance at an affordable price is simply going to fall in your lap. Luckily, though, the search is not as difficult as you might imagine. There are many options available to suit most any set of circumstances.

Affordable Health Insurance in Washington: Options

As you shop for affordable Washington medical insurance, you will find you are inundated with options. There are numerous medical insurance companies across the state in which you can consider. Comparing these companies and their rates will help you to find the most affordable option for you. If you are having issues with income restrictions and/or medical conditions, you should look into options offered by the state. These options were developed to offer affordable health care coverage to as many residents of Washington State as possible.

Affordable Health Insurance in Washington: Washington Health Plan

Begun in 1993, the Washington Health Plan has as its goal to offer affordable health care coverage to Washington residents by providing an alternative to private health insurance. The plan offers a choice between either $75,000 or $100,000 worth of yearly health care coverage. You choose the coverage and pay the discounted premiums associated with that coverage. Choice is the name of the game with this program, so you can choose your own physician, and you can get coverage for maternity, chronic illness, preventative care, prescription drugs, hospital and ER care, as well as imaging and lab work. All residents of Washington State are eligible as long as you are not enrolled in another state-sponsored health care program or currently institutionalized.

Affordable Health Insurance in Washington: Washington Basic Health

Washington Basic Health offers an affordable, low-cost option for health care coverage to the residents of Washington State. Qualifications include:

• Within 0 to 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines


• Ineligible for Medicare


• Not getting benefits from Washington Medicaid


• Not in an institution at the time of enrollment


• Not enrolled in an educational institution


• Not be on a student visa


• Not enrolled in the Washington Health Plan

At times, the Washington Basic Health Plan has a waiting list. If that is the case, you will be placed on the list in the order in which you attempted enrollment. However, it is possible to by-pass the list if you meet any of the below criteria.

• Certain maternity applicants


• Foster parents


• Health Coverage Tax Credit recipients


• If you have been a member before and recently lost Medicaid coverage


• Personal care worker


• Recently serving Washington National Guard Reserves


• Tribal sponsored accounts

Affordable Health Insurance in Washington: Finding the Right Option

No matter where you stand as far as health or income, your first step is to weigh all options available. To do this, you must first gather online rate quotes to compare rates and health insurance plans. While doing this, you may find that you do not qualify for private health care coverage or that insurance may be too expensive for your budget. If this is the case, then you can move on to the state-sponsored options mentioned above or seek out coverage through the federal high risk pool. Either way, the road to affordable health insurance in Washington begins with rate quotes to assess the situation.