Healthcare Programs for Washington Residents
Washington State provides a variety of healthcare options for its residents. The Basic Health Plan was put into effect in 1993 to provide affordable health care. A newer option is available that has lower costs, less restrictions and better reliability.
Resident families may qualify for the Washington Health Program which offers a choice between $75,000 and $100,000 in health insurance coverage annually. Program members receive low deductibles, with basic health services at no out of pocket costs. This coverage also provides for unexpected hospitalizations. The cap amounts cover most family's needs for an entire year.
Eligibility for Washington Health consists of relatively few requirements. The family or individual:
Health 75 and Health 100 are the two choices offered for coverage that will best meet a family's needs. The same benefits are provided to the family under both options. Washington Health along with Community Health Plan of Washington makes coverage available in all the state's counties. The network has more than 2,000 primary care providers, 13,500 specialists, 540 primary care clinics and over 100 hospitals state-wide.
Discounts and low copays for prescription drugs and medical care automatically occur when using a Community Health Plan Clinic. The ability to choose a doctor with whom the family can connect is also important. Thousands of doctors work with the Community Health Plan network. The individual can choose any provider who accepts his health plan. Each of these doctors and/or clinics connect their patients with basic benefits, including:
Family Medical is another program offered to eligible participants. The families must have dependent children under the age of 19; their resources and income are below the current limits of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). A family is allowed to deduct 50% of their earnings, child care costs and child support paid out. Then the monthly income limits are currently set at:
These levels change annually so the requirements should be checked before applying. A family is allowed $1,000 in resources at the time they apply for Family Medical. The family's main residence and $5,000 in vehicle equity are not included. Additional information regarding the Family Medical Program may be located at the Health Care Authority's website.
Individuals on Medicare may choose to take advantage of Medicare Savings Programs which will pay all or part of their Medicare premiums. There are resource and income limitations that must be met for these programs. The programs available are:
Assets for an individual must be under $7,080 and $10,620 for a couple in order to qualify for these cost-sharing programs. Cash, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, savings bonds, stocks, real property (except a primary residence) and recreational vehicles all qualify as resources or assets.
The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program pays the cost of any Part A and B premiums. QMB also covers any Medicare deductibles and co-payments. Income limits must be less than $958 monthly for an individual or $1,293 for a couple.
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualified Individual Programs pay the Part B premium for SLMB individuals with an income less than $1,149 (currently) or $1,551 for couples. The QI-1 Program assists qualified individuals with incomes of $1,293 or less per month and couples whose income is below $1,745.
Washington State medical coverage for children under 19 years of age falls under Apple Health for Kids. Each program follows its own eligibility guidelines. Limited resources are not a requirement to qualify for Apple Health for Kids. However, there are income limits that differ depending on the number of children being covered. Even an unborn child counts as family member.
When Apple Health for Kids determines a family's income, they don't count:
In order for a child to be eligible for premium-based coverage they must:
These and other programs available in Washington State ensure that all residents have access to quality health coverage.
