Q&A about new health insurance sign-ups

Q: I heard about the beginning of efforts this week to help people who don’t have health insurance sign up. How can I get some help?

A: There are several ways:

1) A toll-free hotline for information on buying individual health insurance plans in Washington is available at 1-855-923-4633.

2) Information also is available at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange at wahealthplanfinder.org and at the state Insurance Commissioner’s Office at http://tinyurl.com/qzbpp4r.

Q: Is there any place locally where I can just sit down and hear more about how I can get health insurance?

A: Yes. The Everett Public Library has scheduled two public information sessions on signing up for health care with Mary Souriyavongsa and Patrick Ewing of the nonprofit Community Health Plan of Washington. The first is at 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Evergreen Branch, 9512 Evergreen Way; and the second is at 7p.m. Oct. 16 in the main library auditorium, 2702 Hoyt in Everett.

Q: Are any of these events scheduled in south Snohomish County?

A: Yes, a public information session also is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Lynnwood Senior Center, 19000 44th Ave. W. Free flu shots and blood pressure screenings also will be available.

Q: What’s the deadline if I want to sign up?

A: People have until Dec. 15 to sign up for health insurance that starts Jan. 1.

Q: What’s the March 30, 2014, deadline I keep hearing about?

A: That’s the deadline for people who don’t have insurance to sign up for it, either through programs like Washington’s Apple Health, the expanded Medicaid program, or buying individual insurance plans.

Q: What happens if I don’t sign up?

A: There’s a tax penalty of $95 per adult and a maximum of $285 per family.

Q: Can I get help paying for insurance?

A: Yes, there are tax subsidies available for many households to help pay for health insurance. For example, a family of four can make up to $94,200 and qualify for a tax subsidy.

Q: I have health insurance through my job. Does this affect me?

A: No, this is for people who don’t have health insurance. There are an estimated 100,000 uninsured children and adults in Snohomish County.

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

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.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

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 to welcome new CEO

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

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.