NoHLA and other stakeholders participated in a work group to recommend the design of standard individual health insurance plans. The goal of the standard plans is to make plan comparisons more understandable and to offer more value for consumers. In the interest of consumers, we recommended that certain services such as primary care and generic drugs not be subject to deductibles, in order to make these services accessible to those who have not met their deductibles. We also supported steps to ensure that cost-sharing is manageable for individuals with chronic health conditions. This was a very challenging project because overall costs had to be maintained in a way that did not significantly affect premiums. The standard gold, silver and bronze level plans will be offered in 2021. Every insurer participating in the Health Benefit Exchange will need to offer standard plans but can also offer nonstandard plans. The state Health Care Authority will begin offering standard plans – called “Cascade Care” – through Washington Healthplanfinder, in November 2020 for the January 2021 plan year. See the news release announcing Exchange board approval of the standard plans.  

–Janet Varon, NoHLA Executive Director