Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s health insurance exchange, will offer a few days of extended phone hours through Jan. 15, including some weekends, as deadlines approach to get health coverage through open enrollment for 2024.
People who sign up by Dec. 15 will get coverage starting on Jan. 1. Those who sign up by Jan. 15 will get coverage starting on Feb. 1. About 232,000 people were enrolled for 2023 health insurance through the program.
The health insurance exchange’s website is https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/ and the customer support center is available at 1-855-923-4633.
According to the state, about 75% of people who are getting coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder could lower their monthly premiums by comparing plans, including checking their eligibility for assistance through the state subsidy program, Cascade Care Savings.
Regular business hours for the customer support center is 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended call center hours are:
- Dec. 15, 7:30 a.m. to midnight
- Dec. 16 (Saturday), 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Jan. 14 (Sunday), 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Jan. 15, 7:30 a.m. to midnight
The call center will be closed on Dec. 25 (Christmas Day), and Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day).
People can also get assistance signing up through the exchange at no additional cost through independent brokers and health insurance navigators.
Earlier this year Washington became one of the few states to make coverage available to all of its residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. While federal subsidies are not available to undocumented adults, those who qualify by income could be eligible for Cascade Care’s state subsidies.