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New Website Debuts Capturing Impact of Affordable Care Act in Washington

1in4WA.com features facts, figures, and information related to the state’s health reform efforts
January 13, 2017

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The Washington Health Benefit Exchange today announced the debut of 1in4WA.com, an online resource that highlights the impact of the Affordable Care Act in Washington state. The new website contains enrollment and cost data, customer experiences, and other facts and figures that illustrate how health care reform has effected access and affordability for Washingtonians.

The website takes its name from the fact that one in four Washingtonians – a person every 30 seconds – now use Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s online health insurance marketplace, to secure their health coverage. Earlier this week, the Exchange announced that more than 200,000 people had selected plans during the current open enrollment period, a 14 percent jump in selections from the same period last year. 

“We created 1in4WA.com to help people better understand what the Affordable Care Act has meant to Washington state,” said Michael Marchand, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. “Having health reform front and center at both the federal and state level has generated requests for this type of information. We quickly recognized the public would be best served with an online resource that gives answers to important questions and provides links to other resources.”

Information featured on 1in4WA.com includes county-specific data of those who have secured health coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, as well as breakdowns of financial help offered to enrollees and the impact Medicaid expansion has had on the growth of coverage statewide. Data available may also be downloaded into presentation format.

Other resources contributing to the site include the state’s Office of Financial Management, Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Washington State Health Care Authority.

1in4WA.com also contains personal stories shared by residents who have benefitted from changes made under the Affordable Care Act, and allows for others to add their experience gaining coverage.

The deadline to sign up for a 2017 Qualified Health Plan or Qualified Dental Plan through Washington Healthplanfinder is Jan. 31. Individuals and families can go to wahealthplanfinder.org to compare their coverage options, including prices, benefits, and doctor networks.

Reminders: Enrollment is offered year-round to individuals and families through Washington Apple Health (Medicaid). Customers enrolled in Apple Health will receive a notice 60 days before the month they enrolled in or renewed their coverage last year. Small business owners have the option of enrolling year-round through Washington Healthplanfinder Business.

About Washington Healthplanfinder

Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid. The open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder is underway now and extends through Jan. 31, 2017.

About Washington Apple Health

In Washington, Medicaid is called Washington Apple Health. Coverage is free and available year-round for those who qualify. Since the Affordable Care Act launched in October 2013, more people have access to preventive care, like cancer screenings, treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure, and many other health care services they need to stay healthy. Apple Health clients enroll and renew online using Washington Healthplanfinder. Apple Health is administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority: www.hca.wa.gov

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