Alyssa Lane
If you're looking to get medical insurance in Washington state, there are a few options available to you. Most Washington residents get health insurance through an employer or government source. You can compare and shop for health insurance through the state Health Benefit Exchange website, Washington Healthplanfinder, which offers health and dental plans that meet the Affordable Care Act's health reform standards. You can also apply for Apple Health (Medicaid) through the Washington Healthplanfinder website or WAPlanfinder mobile app. Apple Health is free or low-cost health insurance for those who qualify, and it's available year-round. If you're over 65 or have received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for more than two years, you may be eligible for Medicare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the program | Apple Health |
| Who can apply | Citizens or legal residents under the age of 65 |
| Cost | Free or low-cost |
| Services covered | Primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, etc. |
| Application process | Apply online through Washington Healthplanfinder or via the WAPlanfinder mobile app |
| Coverage period | 12 months after pregnancy |
| Auto-enrollment | Yes, auto-enrolled into an Apple Health managed care plan |
| Additional benefits | Language assistance services are available free of charge |
| Other options | Individual health insurance plans, Medicare, or Medicaid |
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What You'll Learn
Medicaid (Apple Health)
Medicaid is known as Apple Health in Washington state. It is a free or low-cost health insurance coverage for those who qualify. Apple Health is available to those under a certain income level. You must be a citizen or legal resident of five years, under the age of 65. Apple Health is available year-round, and you can apply at any time.
Apple Health covers a wide range of services, including primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, and prescription medications. To apply for Apple Health, you must create an account on the Washington Healthplanfinder website. Once you have entered your information, you will be able to view your eligibility results.
Apple Health also offers After-Pregnancy Coverage, which provides healthcare coverage in the 12 months after pregnancy. This program is available even if you were not enrolled in Apple Health during your pregnancy. Additionally, the Apple Health Expansion program offers full-scope healthcare coverage to individuals aged 19 or older with certain immigration statuses who do not qualify for other Apple Health programs.
For more detailed information about Apple Health, including specific eligibility requirements, you can visit the Washington State Health Care Authority's website. Here, you can learn about the different Apple Health programs and their respective eligibility criteria.
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Individual health insurance plans
If you live in Washington and don't have health insurance through another source, you may want to consider an individual health plan. While there is no longer a tax penalty for being uninsured, health plans can offer important financial protection when you need health care.
There are two ways for Washington residents to buy an individual health plan: through the state’s official "Exchange" website (Washington Healthplanfinder) or "off-Exchange" directly with an insurance company. Most people choose to apply through the state Exchange website. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Marketplace allows Washington residents to compare and shop for health insurance that meets the health reform standards of the Affordable Care Act.
All plans on Washington Healthplanfinder cover essential benefits, including doctors' visits, trips to the emergency room, and preventative care. You can also qualify for reduced cost-sharing if you select a silver plan and have an income below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,450 for an individual or $75,000 for a family of four in 2024). This will help lower your deductible, copayments, and coinsurance when you visit the doctor or fill prescriptions.
There are also other financial assistance options available for certain Washington residents, such as people who are tribal members or people who work at licensed child care centers. In addition, undocumented people became eligible to buy private health plans through the Exchange and Washington Healthplanfinder in November 2023.
Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington. It is free or low-cost health and dental coverage for those who qualify. Covered services include primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, and more. You can apply for Apple Health at any time, and it is available year-round.
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Medicare
You can apply for Medicare in Washington online with the Social Security Administration, by visiting a Social Security office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). The basic Medicare plan, Original Medicare, includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you enrol in both parts, you can choose to enrol in Part D, which covers prescription drugs and is administered by private insurance companies.
Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance, is another option for those with Original Medicare. These plans are sold by private insurance companies and help pay for some or all of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. Medigap plans cannot be used with Medicare Advantage plans. As of 2025, there are 16 insurers offering Medigap plans in Washington, with 10 different plan designs.
Apple Health is the name given to the Medicaid program in Washington. While Medicare and Medicaid cover similar needs, Medicaid is designed for those facing financial hardships or disabilities regardless of age. However, it is possible to be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Apple Health provides free or low-cost health insurance coverage for those who qualify, including primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, prescription medications, and more.
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Applying for health insurance
Washington residents can compare and shop for health insurance through the state Health Benefit Exchange website, Washington Healthplanfinder, which offers health and dental plans that meet the health reform standards of the Affordable Care Act. Applying for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder is the best way to learn if you qualify for a free or reduced-cost plan.
When you apply through Washington Healthplanfinder, the application will ask questions about your household and finances to see if you qualify for various health coverage programs, including the free Apple Health (Medicaid) program or a reduced-cost private plan. If you qualify for a reduced-cost private plan, Washington Healthplanfinder will help you find plans that have lower costs due to federal and state financial assistance (subsidy) programs, such as federal premium tax credits.
If you are eligible for Medicaid, called Apple Health, you do not need to buy individual insurance. Apple Health is free or low-cost health insurance coverage for those who qualify. Covered services include primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, and more. Apple Health is available year-round, and you can apply at any time. Apple Health is available to those under a certain income level. You must also be a citizen or legal resident of five years under the age of 65. You can find all of the eligibility requirements on the Washington Health Care Authority's website.
You may also qualify for other health services if you are not eligible for Apple Health. The Washington Healthplanfinder website or WAPlanfinder mobile app will help you with that. If you are over the age of 65 or have qualified for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for more than two years, you are probably eligible for Medicare. If you don't have health insurance through another source, an individual health plan may be right for you. There are two ways for Washington residents to buy an individual health plan: through the state's official "Exchange" website (Washington Healthplanfinder) or "off-Exchange" directly with an insurance company.
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Health insurance for pregnant people
If you are pregnant and live in Washington state, you may be eligible for free or low-cost health insurance coverage. This coverage is available to those under a certain income level who are citizens or legal residents. Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington, and it provides coverage for maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, and more. To be eligible for Apple Health, you must meet the income requirements and be a citizen or legal resident under the age of 65.
If you are pregnant and already have health insurance, you may be able to keep your current coverage by not reporting your pregnancy. However, if you are on Apple Health without a managed care plan, it is recommended that you contact the Health Care Authority to ensure you receive the most coverage during your pregnancy and for 12 months after the pregnancy ends.
If you were pregnant in the last 12 months and did not have Apple Health coverage during your pregnancy, you may be eligible for After-Pregnancy Coverage (APC). APC provides full-scope health care coverage to people age 19 or older with certain immigration statuses. To apply for APC, you will need to provide information such as your household monthly income, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth for each member of your household.
In addition to health insurance coverage, Washington state offers the WIC Nutrition Program, which provides access to no-cost healthy food, health screenings, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and more for pregnant individuals and children under the age of five.
To summarize, if you are pregnant and live in Washington state, you have several options for health insurance coverage. You may be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Apple Health, or you can keep your current coverage by not reporting your pregnancy. Additionally, Washington state offers programs like APC and the WIC Nutrition Program to support pregnant individuals and new parents.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple Health.
Apple Health covers primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, and more.
You can apply for Apple Health at any time through the Washington Healthplanfinder website or the WAPlanfinder mobile app.
If you don't qualify for Apple Health, you may still qualify for other health services or financial assistance for a reduced-cost private plan. You can find out more about your options on the Washington Healthplanfinder website.
Most Washington residents get health insurance through an employer or government source. You can also buy an individual health plan through the state's official "Exchange" website (Washington Healthplanfinder) or "off-Exchange" directly from an insurance company.
