Subject: WA Insurance Commissioner Announcement for limited special enrollment period for people struggling with health coverage
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler
announced a limited special enrollment period - effective Aug. 27 - for people
who have experienced difficulty enrolling in health coverage through
Washington's Exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder at https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org
or who have had billing or payment issues.
The special enrollment period starts Aug. 27 and is
scheduled to run through Nov. 14, 2014. Only people who attest to having
enrollment, billing, or payment issues with an Exchange plan may change plans
during this time.
General open enrollment for 2015 individual and family
coverage starts Nov. 15, 2014 and ends Feb. 15, 2015.
"The Exchange is making real progress in reconciling
the cases of those consumers who've experienced ongoing claims and payment
issues," said Kreidler. "Today's announcement should not take away
from their efforts. It's just one more option for consumers who still need
coverage. It will not be the best option for everyone, but hopefully it'll
bring immediate relief to some."
Consumers who choose to leave the Exchange and switch to
a health plan sold outside of the Exchange will lose their premium and
cost-sharing subsidies. Consumers may also lose any credit toward their
cost-sharing deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
During this limited special enrollment period, if you
have experienced difficulty getting or keeping health coverage through the
Exchange, you can:
. Stay with
your health insurer but switch to a plan sold outside of the Exchange (you will
lose your subsidy)
. Switch to a
new health insurer outside of the Exchange (you will lose your subsidy)
A list of answers to questions about this temporary
special enrollment is available on the insurance commissioner's website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/your-insurance/health-insurance/individuals-families/special-enrollment-periods/frequently-asked-questions.html
.
Consumers still have the option to keep their current
health insurer and pay through the Exchange or pay their premium directly to
their health insurer. Find out more at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/about-oic/news-media/news-releases/2014/8-7b-2014.html
Who's eligible?
Anyone who has been unable to get or keep coverage in a
plan through the Exchange because of an error in their enrollment, bill, or
premium payment.
People with Washington Apple Health are not eligible for
this temporary special enrollment period.
How will this help?
This is an option for consumers who have experienced
difficulties with their health coverage over the last several months. It will
not be the best option for everyone.
Approximately 85 percent of people enrolled in a plan
through the Exchange receive premium or cost-sharing subsidies. If they move to
a plan sold outside of the Exchange, they will not be able to keep their
subsidy.
Everyone must re-enroll or select a new plan for 2015
during the general open enrollment period, Nov. 15, 2014 - Feb. 15, 2015, even
people who use the special enrollment to change plans now
"I've created this special enrollment period in
direct response to consumer complaints I've heard over the last several
months," said Kreidler. "I continue to support the Exchange and the
work it has done to successfully enroll over 90 percent of the people who
applied for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. They are dedicated to
solving these technical issues and they are making progress. But as insurance
commissioner, it's my responsibility to do what I can to give consumers as many
options as possible for getting coverage."
