Health Plan Enrollment Ending for 2015

Stacy Crites, right, a nurse on campus at the University of Washington's Hall Health Primary Care Center in Seattle, listens to the lungs of Kandice Joyner, a junior studying archeology, during a routine checkup. Photo by Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is working up until the deadline to add enrollees and renew health insurance plans.

As of Jan. 31, Clark County has added 3,105 new health plan enrollees and renewed 5,044 current health plans. Statewide, more than 132,000 residents have enrolled in a qualified health plan and 497,000 residents are covered through the Medicaid extension.  

Time is running out for those who want to get health coverage and avoid the tax penalty. Feb. 15 marks the end of open enrollment – the period of time when people can change or buy qualified health insurance plans from the healthcare exchange.

Those who qualify for Medicaid will be able to enroll year-round.  People who have a life-changing event such as marriage, the birth of a child or a loss of a job qualify for special enrollment period of 60 days.

After Feb. 15, those without health coverage will not be able to buy a plan from the exchange and will face a tax penalty of $325 per adult or 2 percent of household income, whichever is greater. In 2016, the fine raises to $695 per adult or 2.5 percent of household income.

People who still need health insurance can sign up online, in person and over the phone. The Washington exchange has brokers and navigators who are trained to help people find the right health plan.

For more information on signing up for health insurance in Washington, click here.

Attend a Health Care enrollment event in Portland, find the details here.