How To Sign Up for Obamacare in Washington
For 2024 health insurance plans, Washington open enrollment runs from November 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024. If you enroll by December 15, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2024.
Once the open enrollment period has ended, you may still be able to purchase health insurance for this year if you qualify for a special enrollment period. For example, if you’ve recently lost your job or significant income, you might qualify for a 60-day special enrollment period that will allow you to sign up for a new health insurance plan. (See What Happens If I Miss the Enrollment Deadline?)
To get covered, you can go directly to the online health insurance marketplace for Washington. If you need personalized help, you can reach out to an enrollment assistant. Most enrollment helpers are working remotely during the COVID crisis.
Where's the Washington Health Care Exchange?
You can find the health insurance exchange for Washington at Washington Healthplanfinder. This is where you can learn about the various health insurance options available to you under Obamacare. If you see a plan you like, you'll be guided through the enrollment process online.
Getting Personalized Help with Enrollment
In Washington, if you need help understanding your options for coverage under Obamacare or signing up for a plan, you can get free help from an enrollment assistant or from a licensed health care agent or broker.
An enrollment assistant can explain your options, answer your questions, and help you apply for your chosen plan, but they can’t legally recommend a specific one for you.
To find a Washington certified assistant, see Get Help Enrolling at Washington Healthplanfinder. You can then search for a helper in your area.
Washington Medicaid Expansion: Do I Qualify for Medicaid Under the ACA?
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) expanded Medicaid eligibility to include more people who couldn’t otherwise obtain health insurance. As written, the ACA would extend Medicaid to all adults with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. (For a single person in Washington in 2023, that’s $20,120. For a family of four, it’s $41,400.)
However, the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that it was up to individual states to decide whether to expand Medicaid. As of December 2023, only 10 states have not expanded their programs.
Washington Has Expanded Medicaid
Because Washington did decide to expand its Medicaid program, residents can qualify for Medicaid more easily today than in years past.
Get Help Finding a Health Insurance Plan in Washington
Get Help From Washington's Health Insurance Exchange
The following links and telephone numbers take you to the official help resources for Washington Healthplanfinder, the health insurance marketplace for Washington.
Get help by phone: 855-923-4633
Get help in person: To find a certified navigator, you can use the Navigator Search page at Washington Healthplanfinder.
Get Help From a Licensed Insurance Broker
To directly connect with a Washington insurance broker who can help you evaluate insurance plans and choose a plan that's appropriate for your situation, call 800-943-6832. (We receive advertising income from the licensed brokers who offer their services through this telephone number.)
More Information
For more detailed information, see How Do I Sign Up for Obamacare in Washington?
