Washington Basic Health
Washington Basic Health State-Sponsored Health Insurance Plan
Basic Health provides subsidized health insurance coverage to Washington residents by partnering with private plan providers. The eligibility requirements are fairly straightforward:
- You must be a legal Washington resident
- You must not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid
- You must not be institutionalized or attending school full time
- You must meet the income restrictions (see below)
Income Requirements
The maximum income you can make is dependent on the size of your family. For a family of four, the maximum household income is just over $3,500 monthly. For more information, click here
How It Works
You choose one of five private health plans, each offering the same basic coverage (details vary slightly). Next, you choose your Primary Care Provider (PCP). Your PCP acts like the quarterback of your health care; excluding emergencies, you go to your PCP for all of your needs. You manage your payments and reimbursements directly with the health plan that you choose. To see what plans are available, click here. To apply, download the application here.
Benefits
The benefits vary slightly depending upon which plan you choose, but typically include
- Physician visits
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital services
- Emergency care
- X-ray, laboratory, and preventative services
- Prescription drugs
For more details, contact the plan directly.
Cost
Copays are modest, usually $15. There is a $150 annual deductible. For some services, you need to pay 20% of the cost up to a $1,500 annual out-of-pocket maximum. Monthly premiums depend upon your income, the size of your family, and the county that you live in. For a family of four earning $2,500 monthly, this can be under $200 monthly to insure the whole family.<
