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Special Enrollment for Health Insurance in Washington State

 Open Enrollment for Healthcare will run November 1st 2021 through January 15th 2022. This is when people can make changes to their healthcare. There are 11 Enrollment Centers spread throughout Washington State and we are located in Wenatchee. Enrollment Centers have been around for six years and are almost a secret way to get no cost help with understanding health insurance. It has been a great program to be part of. Some are even set up to assist with Medicare and Life Insurance as well. 



Outside we have what is called Special Enrollment.  One of the myths is that you can enroll any time of the year unrestricted is not true. You may be required to submit documentation to prove that you have a valid reason to get healthcare outside of special enrollment. 

We have seen Special Enrollments for:

Income- You have low income and Qualify for Apple Health: Do not be surprised if the Healthcare Authority asks to see how much you make

Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Member: During the application, you will have to upload copies of your tribal affiliation. 

COVID-19: We have seen special enrollment for most of 2019 and from February 15 2021 through August 15 2021. It takes about 24 hours to be able to select the plan after the application has been completed.


Wild Fires: We have seen a couple based on zip code allowing for enrollments.


Adding a dependent/spouse: Being born or getting married produces a certificate and you may be asked for a copy.


Losing Employer coverage: You have 60 days from when you lose coverage. The insurance company may ask for you to prove the last day of coverage. Your employer should have this documentation. 


Change in Citizenship: You have 60 days. You will have to load proof onto the Healthplanfinder. We have a scanner and assist with this on a regular basis.


Permanently moving to Washington State: You may be requested to provide residency change by the insurance company. 

Losing Health Coverage: It can be from losing Apple Health, divorce, job loss, etc. Again an new insurance company can ask. 

Note: choosing to stop coverage, being terminated for not paying premiums, your provider dropping the plan, being diagnosed with Cancer and getting pregnant are NOT reasons for Special Enrollment. 

These are not all the reasons for a Special Enrollment and we recommend you always attempt to enroll because you may qualify for something that you do not know about

Always read your mail, file your taxes and check your Healthplan November 1st through December 15th. We literally start taking appointments in July and send out reminders. 






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