Shortened enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance runs through Dec. 15

Submitted by Washington Health Benefit Exchange

Residents can use Washington Healthplanfinder to sign up for health and dental coverage during through Dec. 15. Washington Healthplanfinder offers insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act.

Different from previous open enrollment periods, residents have six weeks total to sign up for health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder that covers themselves and their family during the upcoming year.

“The window for residents to shop and sign up for health and dental insurance is shorter this year,” said Pam MacEwan, CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “The start of open enrollment should signal all customers to begin evaluating their options as quickly as possible in order to choose their 2019 coverage before the open enrollment period ends on Dec. 15.”

Customers accessing Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment will be greeted with a more streamlined method for taking action related to their health insurance, including finding financial help. Determining eligibility for free or low-cost coverage offered exclusively through Washington Healthplanfinder is a primary response customers may now select from a redesigned homepage that asks visitors “What would you like to do today?”

Washington Healthplanfinder also remains the only place Washingtonians can compare health plans offered in their county before connecting with coverage that best meets their needs. Smart Planfinder, the consumer decision-support tool introduced in 2017, offers the most advanced method for choosing health insurance. By inputting provider preferences, prescription drug requirements and cost considerations, Smart Planfinder can identify “Smart Choice” plans that more effectively meet projected medical needs.

In-person support may be accessed through Washington Healthplanfinder’s extensive network of trained navigators and brokers. Available at designated enrollment centers and other locations based throughout the state, navigators and brokers offer expert in-person assistance to any individual who needs help enrolling in 2019 health and dental plans.

Linking up with a nearby navigator or broker is easiest through the WAPlanfinder mobile app. By identifying a customer’s current location, WAPlanfinder provides contact information for and directions to the closest in-person help in their neighborhood. The app also directly connects customers with answers to frequently asked questions and allows for coverage-related documents to be uploaded quickly and securely.

As is the case every open enrollment period, customers may access over-the-phone assistance by calling Washington Healthplanfinder’s toll-free customer support center at 1-855-923-4633. Throughout the open enrollment period, the customer support center will be available during weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additional hours of availability will be extended at peak sign-up times during open enrollment.

Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health, or Medicaid. Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice of 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year.

For more information, visit www.wahbexchange.org.