New Companies Submit Proposals to Sell Health Plans in Washington

Four new companies have submitted proposals to sell health insurance plans inside Washington’s state-based Exchange in 2015, increasing to 12 the number of insurers compared to 2014. 

One additional company submitted a proposal to sell health insurance plans in the private individual market outside of the Exchange. If all are approved, 10 companies would sell policies for 2015 in the outside market versus nine in 2014.

The number of proposed plan choices, geographical availability and premiums for both markets will be known in about another week after the Office of the Insurance Commissioner completes an analysis of the initial filings for 2015.

“The proposals submitted certainly indicate that consumers will have more options available to them,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “I expect that we’ll have even more robust markets inside and outside of the exchange for 2015.  Increased competition is part of health care reform and that’s what we are seeing.”

Plans available in the Exchange, sold through the Washington Healthplanfinder, offer subsidies for consumers based on their income levels. Plans sold in the private outside market do not include a subsidy.

The following list includes the companies that submitted proposals for Exchange plans:

·         Columbia United Providers -- NEW

·         Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan, Inc. -- NEW

·         UnitedHealthcare of Washington, Inc. -- NEW

·         Moda Health Plan, Inc. -- NEW

·         BridgeSpan Health Company

·         Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW)

·         Coordinated Care Corporation (CCC)

·         Molina Healthcare of Washington

·         Premera BlueCross

·         LifeWise Health Plan of Washington

·         Group Health Cooperative

·         Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest

 

The following list includes the companies that submitted proposals for the outside market: 

·         Moda Health Plan, Inc. -- NEW

·         Group Health Cooperative

·         Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest

·         LifeWise Health Plan of Washington

·         Premera Blue Cross

·         Asuris Northwest Health

·         Group Health Options, Inc.

·         Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon

·         Regence BlueShield

·         Health Net Health Plan of Oregon, Inc

 

In addition, two companies have submitted proposals to offer policies to qualified small businesses in 2015 through the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP.

·         Moda Health Plan, Inc. -- NEW

·         Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest

In 2014, Kaiser was the only option for those plans, which were available just in Clark and Cowlitz counties.

Kreidler’s office will review all plans to ensure they include the 10 essential health benefits, such as coverage for prescription drugs and maternity care. Open enrollment in all plans inside and outside of the Exchange begins Nov. 15. 

How much someone pays will depend on their age, where they live, whether or not they smoke, and which plan they select.

Proposed rates are expected to be available to the public by May 10. Consumers can sign up to receive an email when the rates are posted on in the Insurance Commissioner’s website.