Washington Health Program
Since 1993, the Washington State Health Care Authority has offered a Basic Health Plan. Basic Health provides affordable health care coverage for Washington State residents. The same people who brought you this lifeline now offer another option — with fewer restrictions, low cost, and just as reliable.
As a Washington resident, you and your dependents could qualify for the Washington Health Program. This unique program offers either $75,000 or $100,000 in health insurance coverage every year you are enrolled. Members maintain low deductibles and, at times, no cost coverage for health services. You also have coverage for unexpected trips to the hospital. In the majority of cases, $75,000 or $100,000 is plenty of coverage.
Washington Health offers access to statewide coverage by partnering with Community Health Plan of Washington. Once a member, you will get high-quality, comprehensive health care coverage. Community Health Plan's network includes more than 540 primary care clinics, 2,365 providers, 13,571 specialists, and 100 hospitals.
Eligibility
Washington Health is available to anyone who lives in Washington and:
- Is not eligible for free or purchased Medicare.
- At the time of enrollment, is not confined to an institution.
- Is ineligible for coverage under the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) or qualifies to bypass the standard health questionnaire under state law.
- Is not receiving Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) medical assistance (Medicaid) or subsidized Basic Health benefit.
To apply, visit the HCA Applying for Washington Health Program web page.
Standard Health Questionnaire
As required by law, most applicants applying for Washington Health coverage must complete and pass the Standard Health Questionnaire (SHQ), or health screen. Developed by the Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP), the SHQ is used to ask about applicants' recent coverage and medical history. Washington Health will use the SHQ to determine eligibility for coverage.
Following application for coverage and a completed SHQ, if the enrollee does not pass the health screen, that person will be denied coverage for Washington Health and referred to WSHIP for coverage. Applicants who are denied coverage may appeal to the Health Care Authority.
Benefits
The list of services covered under Washington Health, called the “Schedule of Benefits,” is in Appendix A of the Washington Health Program Member Handbook (also called the Certificate of Coverage).
More information
For more information about Washington Health Program:
- See the HCA Washington Health Program web site.
- Call the Community Health Plan customer service team at 1-800-440-1561 toll free or email us at customercare@chpw.org. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please call TTY 1-866-816-2479 toll free or local 206-613-8875.
- Community-based organizations and Community Health Centers can download the Community Health Plan Information Deck for use in their own training about this program.
Washingtion Health Program is a new low-cost, affordable health insurance program offered through Community Health Plan of Washington, the only insurer for the Washington Health Program. Similar to the Basic Health Program, the Washington Health Program offers Washington residents affordable health insurance for individauls or families.
