Tax breaks, subsidies offered through state benefit exchange By Marcy Stamper Lots of things about health insurance are shrinking for 2019 — the open-enrollment period, which started last week, is shorter; people have fewer policies to choose from; and the network of covered physicians and hospitals is limited to Washington state, except in emergencies. But […]
Health insurance
Exchange health insurance options continue to shrink
Okanogan County residents who buy their own health insurance through the state exchange — the only way to get a tax break or subsidy — won’t get to choose the insurance company next year.
While most people in Washington can choose between at least two insurers, …
Last chance to buy individual health insurance for those who self-pay
People who don’t get health insurance through their job and who don’t qualify for the state’s Apple Health coverage have less than a week to get health insurance for 2018.
The deadline is for policies bought through the state’s Obamacare marketplace (the Health Benefit Exchange) …
Time is running out to buy health insurance for next year
People have just two more days — until Friday (Dec. 15) — to buy an individual health insurance policy for coverage to start Jan. 1, 2018.
If you miss that deadline, you can still buy a policy — or change your coverage for next year — until Jan. 15, but then coverage won’t start until Feb. 1.
Children’s health program awaiting federal renewal
Almost 16,000 children in Washington state will lose their free health coverage if Congress doesn’t reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expired at the end of September.
By state law, CHIP provides free health insurance to all Washington children in families earning …
Health insurance buyers can expect to spend more
People who buy their own health insurance will find fewer choices, higher costs and more confusion — but also new online tools and trained navigators to help — when the open-enrollment period opens this week.
The Washington Insurance Commissioner released details of approved plans last week in …
Questions remain as health insurance enrollment nears
Although the open-enrollment period for health insurance is just two weeks away, uncertainty — about costs, subsidies, and what the policies will actually cover — is still growing.
Just last week, President Donald Trump issued two declarations that could affect how health-insurance plans …
Family-owned insurance company moves to next generation
The Bourn family has been in the insurance business in the Methow Valley for 41 years, and the next generation is ready to continue the tradition.
Melinda Bourn, who owns Melbourn Insurance Agency, with offices in Winthrop and Twisp, has turned the business over to daughters Kelsey and Korrie.
Three insurance companies still planning to sell policies in Okanogan County
Against a backdrop of uncertainty on the federal level, insurance companies in Washington have reduced their health insurance offerings, but three insurance companies still plan to sell policies in Okanogan County through the state exchange in 2018.
That puts Okanogan County …
Open enrollment closes soon for state health insurance exchange
It’s open-enrollment period, the once-a-year opportunity for people to sign up for — or make changes to — health coverage if they purchase their insurance through the state’s insurance marketplace.
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is the state-run exchange developed in …
