State ramping up new health exchange

Adults and families who don’t have health insurance and want to buy it will be able to shop for it and compare prices online through the state’s new health exchange starting on Oct. 1.

With many consumers confused about what’s being offered or what type of insurance best fits their needs, the state is opening a toll-free hotline today to help answer their questions.

In Snohomish County, an estimated 113,000 children and adults don’t have health insurance, according to the state Insurance Commissioner’s office. That’s about 15 percent of the county’s population.

Consumers who don’t have insurance can begin signing up on Oct. 1 for coverage that begins on Jan. 1.

Washington’s new health insurance marketplace, called an exchange, is part of the changes included in the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

“It will allow you to make an honest comparison between the plans, which we’ve never had before,” said Stephanie Marquis, a spokeswoman for the state Insurance Commissioner’s office.

The state’s call center, with a staff of 80 people, will be open 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Consumers can learn about their insurance options and if they qualify for tax credits to help pay for health insurance, said Michael Marchand, communication director for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, where consumers can compare health insurance plans.

The online shopping center, called Health Plan Finder, “will be a new way for people to find health plans that meet their needs and budget and provide side-by-side comparisons,” Marchand said.

A family of two adults and two children can have a household income of up to $94,200 and still qualify for tax credits. “There will be a lot of people in this state who will qualify for assistance,” Marchand said.

Consumers will be able to choose from plans in three pricing groups, bronze, silver, and gold.

“Cost, coverage and convenience really are what people are making their decisions on,” he said.

This includes questions on the annual costs for each plan, whether the plan will cover the costs of medications and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma.

Consumers also want to know if they can keep their current doctor and how far they have to drive for medical facilities, such as hospitals or specialists, he said.

Insurance plans cover more of the costs of being treated at hospitals or by specialists that contract with the insurance plan or “in network.”

Consumers also will have choices on deductibles, the amount of money paid out of pocket before insurance begins covering medical costs, and co-pays, such as the amount paid out-of-pocket for each medical visit.

The issues to balance: As more of these costs are covered by insurance, the costs of premiums rise.

Anyone who doesn’t have insurance next year will pay a fine of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child up to a maximum of $285 for a family. The goal is to encourage people who don’t have insurance to buy it.

In addition to the phone center, consumers will be able to get one-on-one help later in the fall. In Snohomish County, 10 organizations will be helping in this effort, including the hospitals in Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, and Monroe, Housing Hope, the Community Health Center of Snohomish County and Sea Mar.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

Hotline opens today

A toll-free hotline for information on buying individual health insurance plans opens today. The number is 1-855-923-4633.

More information on how to sign up for health insurance is available at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange wahealthplanfinder.org and at the state Insurance Commissioner’s Office at http://tinyurl.com/qzbpp4r.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett will welcome new CEO in June

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Kelli Littlejohn, who was 11 when her older sister Melissa Lee was murdered, speaks to a group of investigators and deputies to thank them for bringing closure to her family after over 30 years on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘She can rest in peace’: Jury convicts Bothell man in 1993 killing

Even after police arrested Alan Dean in 2020, it was unclear if he would stand trial. He was convicted Thursday in the murder of Melissa Lee, 15.

Ariel Garcia, 4, was last seen Wednesday morning in an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Dr. (Photo provided by Everett Police)
Everett police searching for missing child, 4

Ariel Garcia was last seen Wednesday at an apartment in the 4800 block of Vesper Drive. The child was missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

The rezoned property, seen here from the Hillside Vista luxury development, is surrounded on two sides by modern neighborhoods Monday, March 25, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Despite petition, Lake Stevens OKs rezone for new 96-home development

The change faced resistance from some residents, who worried about the effects of more density in the neighborhood.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, left, introduces Xichitl Torres Small, center, Undersecretary for Rural Development with the U.S. Department of Agriculture during a talk at Thomas Family Farms on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Under new federal program, Washingtonians can file taxes for free

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene called the Direct File program safe, easy and secure.

Former Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy Jeremie Zeller appears in court for sentencing on multiple counts of misdemeanor theft Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ex-sheriff’s deputy sentenced to 1 week of jail time for hardware theft

Jeremie Zeller, 47, stole merchandise from Home Depot in south Everett, where he worked overtime as a security guard.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.