Washington Health Benefit Exchange and Apple Health

Are you a Washington resident and need health insurance? You can find a plan using the Washington Healthplanfinder. Depending on your household income, you may even qualify for free coverage. Don’t wait: Get covered! Many available plans allow you to seek care from UW Medicine. 

Washington Healthplanfinder offers two options:

First stop: Washington Healthplanfinder

The Washington Healthplanfinder (English | Spanish) is a service of the state’s health insurance exchange that can help you: 

  • Find out if you may be eligible for federal or state financial help to pay premiums or out-of-pocket costs, such as copays.     
  • Browse plans and compare what your costs may be and the doctors and hospitals available with each plan. 
  • Enroll in a health plan.

Types of individual and family insurance plans

When you shop through the Washington Healthplanfinder, you’ll be asked for information about your family and income to see what coverage you qualify for.

Based on the information you enter, you’ll be able to view and compare the coverage and costs (if applicable) for: 

  • Apple Health (Medicaid) plans
  • Washington Health Exchange plans 
  • Apple Health Expansion plans

Other good-to-know facts about health insurance

  • All Washington residents, regardless of immigration status, can access coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. Coverage has expanded to undocumented immigrants (foreign-born who lack valid documentation to be in the United States).

Options to enroll

Option 1-Apple Health (Medicaid): You can enroll any time during the year. For adults 19 or older. This allows individuals and households with countable income under 138% Federal Poverty Table (FPL) to enroll.

Option 2-Washington Health Exchange: For 2026 coverage to be effective Jan 1, 2026, enroll Nov 1- Dec 15, 2025. For 2026 coverage to be effective Feb 1, 2026, enroll Dec 16, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026. The Exchange market is designed for individuals who do not have employer-sponsored health insurance or are not eligible for Apple Health.

There are opportunities to reduce your premium and out of pocket costs (deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance). Tax credits and Cascade Care Savings may be an option to reduce the amount you pay monthly. These savings are only available on Washington Healthplanfinder!

Option 3-Apple Health Expansion: For adults 19 or older, regardless of immigration status. This allows individuals and households with countable income under 138% Federal Poverty Table (FPL) to enroll. The enrollment limit for Apple Health Expansion has been met for all age groups. For more information click here

Health insurance shopping tips

You won’t pay anything for certain services — such as preventive care visits, certain cancer screenings and many vaccinations — with health plans available through the exchange. For many other services, you may be responsible for some or all the costs. 

That’s why it’s wise to take your time checking your options and making a choice. Here are three questions to ask yourself before you choose a health plan: 

  • What services will you need? – Review what the plans cover for services you expect you may use. Some examples are doctor’s office and urgent care visits, prescriptions, children’s care (including dental and vision services), maternity and birth care, and emergency room visits. 

  • Are my doctors in the network? – Check to see if doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers you visit (or plan to visit) are in the plan’s network. Confirm with both the plan and the healthcare providers. Some plans do not cover any costs if you visit out-of-network providers. 

  • What’s ahead for me and my family next year? – Think over if there are any needs you may have in the coming year, such as plans to add a child to your family, a need for ongoing treatment for cancer or a chronic disease, or a scheduled surgery. Compare your costs under each plan you consider. 

Exchange plans, Apple Health and UW Medicine coverage

UW Medicine is "in-network" for several health insurance plans offered through the exchange, the Washington Healthplanfinder. That could matter to you when choosing a plan. 

Generally, you pay less out of pocket when you visit healthcare providers that are in-network. Going out-of-network may require you to pay more toward your deductible or in a copay – or may not be covered at all.

CY2026 Exchange plans with UW Medicine in network

COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON (AUTHORIZED SPECIALTY CARE ONLY DOES NOT INCLUDE PRIMARY CARE)

  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON CASCADE SELECT BRONZE
  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON CASCADE SELECT SILVER
  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON CASCADE SELECT VITAL GOLD
  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON CASCADE SELECT COMPLETE GOLD

KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON (AUTHORIZED SPECIALTY CARE ONLY DOES NOT INCLUDE PRIMARY CARE)

  • KAISER PERMANENTE CASCADE BRONZE
  • KAISER PERMANENTE CASCADE SILVER
  • KAISER PERMANENTE CASCADE VITAL GOLD
  • KAISER PERMANENTE CASCADE COMPLETE GOLD
  • VISITSPLUS BRONZE
  • VISITSPLUS SILVER
  • VISITSPLUS GOLD
  • BRONZE HSA
  • GOLD HSA
  • BASICS PLUS CATASTROPHIC

MOLINA HEALTHCARE OF WASHINGTON

  • MOLINA CASCADE BRONZE
  • MOLINA CASCADE SILVER
  • MOLINA CASCADE VITAL GOLD
  • MOLINA CASCADE COMPLETE GOLD

PREMERA BLUE CROSS

  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS CASCADE BRONZE
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS CASCADE SILVER
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS CASCADE VITAL GOLD
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS CASCADE COMPLETE GOLD
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS PREFERRED BRONZE
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS PREFERRED BRONZE HSA
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS PREFERRED SILVER
  • PREMERA BLUE CROSS PREFERRED GOLD

UNITED HEALTHCARE OF OREGON, INC.

  • UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF OREGON, INC. CASCADE BRONZE
  • UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF OREGON, INC. CASCADE SILVER
  • UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF OREGON, INC. CASCADE VITAL GOLD
  • UNITEDHEALTHCARE OF OREGON, INC. CASCADE COMPLETE GOLD
  • UHC BRONZE ESSENTIAL
  • UHC BRONZE VALUE HSA
  • UHC SILVER COPAY FOCUS
  • UHC GOLD ADVANTAGE

Apple Health plans with UW Medicine in network 

APPLE HEALTH (MEDICAID)

UW Medicine is in network with these Medicaid plans, with some exceptions. Ask the health plan about your coverage for services through UW Medicine.

  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON (CHPW) APPLE HEALTH
    • Harborview, UW Medical Center, and UW Physicians: authorized specialty care only, except primary care covered at Lopez Island clinic
  • COORDINATED CARE APPLE HEALTH
  • MOLINA (MHC) APPLE HEALTH
  • UNITED HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY (UHC) APPLE HEALTH
  • WELLPOINT (FORMERLY AMERIGROUP) APPLE HEALTH

APPLE HEALTH EXPANSION

UW Medicine is in network with these plans, with some exceptions. Ask the health plan about your coverage for services through UW Medicine.

  • COMMUNITY HEALTH PLAN OF WASHINGTON (CHPW) APPLE HEALTH
    • Harborview, UW Medical Center, and UW Physicians: authorized specialty care only, except primary care covered at Lopez Island clinic
  • COORDINATED CARE APPLE HEALTH
  • MOLINA (MHC) APPLE HEALTH
  • UNITED HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY (UHC) APPLE HEALTH

Get help enrolling

Washington Healthplanfinder has representatives who can explain your options, explain financial help available, and walk you through enrolling.    

Enrollment help at UW Medicine

UW Medicine is here to help you understand your healthcare coverage options and enroll in a plan. Please call to schedule an appointment (location information below) or if you have questions: 

  • Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center, UW Medicine Primary Care: 206.744.3084 

Before you shop: an information checklist

Before contacting Washington Healthplanfinder or UW Medicine, collect this information for all household members applying for coverage and have it ready:  

  • Legal names
  • Birth dates
  • Social Security numbers
  • Income before taxes/deductions
  • Tax filing status (this is what you report on your IRS tax form)
  • Proof of income (if your income has changed since you last filed taxes)
  • Current health insurance information (coverage dates, group number and policy number)
  • Proof of immigration status if you're a legal permanent resident
  • Proof of tribal status if you're a registered American Indian/Alaska Native

Make sure you add all household members, even if they don’t need coverage. This information helps us determine if you’re eligible for free or low-cost health insurance. 

Download a checklist of information you will need to apply.

When you’re ready to apply, set up an account on Washington Healthplanfinder™. Use the information you gathered to fill out the application. Check out quick tips to help you complete the application. 

After you submit your application, you’ll find out if you qualify for a Qualified Health Plan, tax credits, or free coverage through Washington Apple Health.

Need Help?

You can get free, in-person help from a navigator.

  • Call WAHealthplanfinder Customer Support Center at 1.855.923.4633 for help with the application process.
  • Call to make an appointment with a UW Medicine Navigator. 

UW Medicine enrollment sites

Location

Days

Times

UW Medicine - Financial Counseling
Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center
Appointment Location: Harborview Medical Center 8th Ave Ground West Lobby
Call for an appointment (206.744.3084)

Monday - Friday

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

UW Medical Center - Northwest Financial Counseling
Main Campus: First Floor Lobby
1550 N. 115th Street
Seattle WA, 98133
Call for an appointment (206.744.3084)

Monday -Friday

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

More Information about health insurance in Washington