On January 1, 2020, expansions in health care coverage and protections from “surprise” medical bills took effect – the fruits of the 2019 Washington legislature:

• Surprise billing protections: Many patients will now be protected from being billed for out-of-network care during an emergency hospitalization or when receiving care at a facility within their insurance plan’s network. The new law takes the patient out of the middle of billing disputes between insurers and providers by creating a resolution process between them. The protections apply to people insured by carriers regulated by the state, and to public employees, but other plans (self-funded group health plans) may also choose to participate. Se these Insurance Commissioner resources: What consumers need to know about surprise or balance billing and How self-funded group health plans can protect their enrollees.
• The Health Care for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) program will remove barriers to eligibility, enabling individuals trying to work at maximum capacity to remain covered. HWD is a Medicaid buy-in program in which enrollees pay premiums based on income; there is no resource limit. The legislature eliminated the income limit and age limit (previously 65), and allowed workers to keep savings from their earnings if they must switch later to a different Medicaid program with resource limits.
• Family planning benefits will now be available regardless of immigration status, through the Health Care Authority for individuals with household income up to 260% of federal poverty. Individuals can apply through family planning providers or on their own starting December 16, 2019.
• Dental benefits are now covered for people who get state health coverage through the Medical Care Services program because they are either incapacitated from working or over 65.

–Janet Varon, NoHLA Executive Director