COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Access in Washington State
What coverage is available for Coronavirus related expenses
in Washington State?
Apple Health (Medicaid and other health coverage programs)
Existing Apple Health customers should not report changes in their income or other application factors during the COVID-19 emergency.
Your Apple Health will not be terminated: For anyone who was enrolled in Medicaid on or after March 18, 2020, eligibility must continue regardless of any changes in circumstances or redeterminations at scheduled renewals that otherwise would have resulted in termination. The only situations in which coverage can be terminated are if an individual (1) asks to be terminated from Medicaid voluntarily, or (2) is no longer considered a resident of the state. This coverage would last until the month of the end of the public health emergency.
Consider applying through Washington Healthplanfinder: If you are experiencing reduced income, you may be eligible for Washington Apple Health or increased subsidy assistance to pay for premiums. Apply for these programs at Washington Healthplanfinder, or click here to report income changes. As of October 2020, federal unemployment income and most state unemployment income is counted when determining eligibility for these programs.
- Health Care Authority memo PDF updated memo PDF
- Federal Government PDF
More information about Apple Health (PDF) eligibility, verification, accepting attestation (statement) of income/resources, change reporting, CHIP premium waivers, immigrant eligibility for testing and treatment, Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) premium waivers, and non-Washington residents in quarantine.
Information for providers, billers, and partners here (PDF) on covered services, prior authorization, tele-health and Medicaid eligibility memos.
Long-Term Services and Supports
Some of the long-term care rules are temporarily changed, including more flexible requirements for qualifying for programs. See these resources for more information about the changes and local referral services in each county.
DSHS COVID-19 Federal Waiver Approvals (as of May 2020)
DSHS Find Local Services, Information, and Resources (DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration)
Washington Health Benefit Exchange
Washington Health Benefit Exchange is OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT starting November 1, 2020 through January 15, 2021 for coverage starting next year. Apply by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, or by January 15 for coverage starting February 1. You can also enroll when you experience certain “qualifying life events.” Click here for more information. Premium subsidies and cost-sharing assistance may be available depending on income.
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- You may apply at any time if your income may qualify you for Apple Health.
Advice and assistance with enrollment is available from:
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- Enrollment Centers, Navigators and Brokers. See Washington Healthplanfinder.
- Through a Mobile app, WAPlanfinder!
- Customer Support Center. Toll-Free: 1-855-923-4633; TTY/TDD: 1-855-627-9604.
Unemployment income? The additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits from the Federal Government is not counted. For details on reporting this and other unemployment income, see Reporting Unemployment Income.
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Medicare
Coronavirus testing will be covered under Medicare Part B. A beneficiary owes nothing for the lab test and associated provider visits (no deductible, coinsurance or copayment). This applies to both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.
Inpatient hospital care is covered under Medicare Part A, and standard coverage rules and cost-sharing apply. Outpatient hospital care is covered under Part B. However, some Medicare Advantage Plans will waive cost-sharing. Check with your insurance plan. Original Medicare will require you to pay cost-sharing.
More information about your rights during a public health emergency from the Medicare Rights Center:
- What You Need to Know About Coronavirus and Medicare Coverage
- Access to providers and pharmacies during a disaster or public health emergency
Information from the Washington Insurance Commissioner here.
Options to enroll in Medicare for those age 65+ who have lost group health insurance here.
If you need help enrolling or have other Medicare-related questions, give SHIBA a call at 1-800-562-6900.
Commercial insurance coverage
The Washington Insurance Commissioner regulates many (but not all) health insurance plans sold in Washington State, including plans offered through the Health Benefit Exchange, and the Washington Healthplanfinder. The Insurance Commissioner has ordered these state-regulated “fully insured” plans not to charge copayments, co-insurance, or deductibles for COVID-19 related testing. Learn more from the OIC here.
In addition, most major insurers in Washington are currently covering the cost of COVID-related treatment without cost-sharing. There are differences in how these insurers will handle the coverage, and each has currently specified an end date for this coverage expansion. The trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans is posting many insurers’ policies on COVID-19 cost-sharing here.
For the latest on health insurers’ policies, check their websites. Most insurers now have information posted about COVID-19 cost-sharing, payment flexibility, telehealth benefits, and more.
- Aetna
- BridgeSpan
- Cigna
- Coordinated Care
- Kaiser Permanente
- Lifewise Health Plan of Washington
- Molina Healthcare
- Pacific Source
- Premera Blue Cross
- Providence Health Plan
- Regence Blue Shield
- UnitedHealthcare
Uninsured
Looking for free testing for COVID-19?
Contact a community health center on this list. Call first for an appointment unless you're going to a location that is called "urgent care." They will assist you with enrolling in health coverage on the spot if you are eligible. If you are not eligible for health coverage, there is no charge for COVID-19 testing and treatment, but for other services these health centers have a sliding fee scale and payment plan options.
King County and Tacoma: Click here for information about testing locations in King County and the Tacoma Dome, for people who cannot access a test through their regular healthcare provider.
The Department of Health website has a map of the state with testing locations and indicates where testing is available at no cost.
Testing for COVID-19
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- Phone:
- Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center, (800) 525-0127 and press #. This helpline is open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day. The operators are able to connect with a third-party interpreter.
- King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center, (206) 477-3977. This helpline is open from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. every day.
- Website: State Department of Health including a Map with Testing Locations
- Phone:
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For Immigrants: COVID-19 Assistance
Please note: USCIS announced that use of Medicaid for testing, treatment, and preventive care related to COVID-19 will not be considered in a public charge test. For more information on public charge, click here.
Testing and Treatment
The Washington State Department of Health has information on testing including in other languages, here.
Alien Emergency Medical (AEM) is temporarily extended to cover COVID-19 related testing and treatment, learn more here. Information in 15 other languages is available, here (scroll to bottom of page).
The Mexican consulate can help Mexican nationals access COVID-19 testing and treatment, call 206-618-8202.
Sea Mar can assist with access to testing and treatment, call 206-764-4700 or 1-855-289-4503 statewide.
Uninsured? No doctor? No problem! See information on how to get free testing and treatment in the Uninsured section above. If you are in the Seattle area look up locations where your preferred language is spoken at this link.
Additional COVID-19 Resources
- DSHS established a disaster cash assistance program with no immigration status requirements
- DSHS extended the Refugee Cash Assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance programs beyond the usual 8-month time limit, through January 31, 2021. More information
- The Washington State COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund will provide a one-time direct payment of up to $1,000 per person (up to $3,000 per household) for people who live in Washington State but are ineligible for federal financial relief or unemployment insurance due to immigration status. Applications are open until December 6th, and payments will go out by December 28th.
- The Seattle COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund for Immigrants will provide a one-time direct payment of up to $1,000 per person (up to $3,000 per household) for people who live, work, or go to school within Seattle city limits. The fund will prioritize applications from people that were ineligible for federal COVID-19 stimulus checks due to immigration status and meet certain income guidelines. Applications are open until November 5th, and payments will go out after December 1st.
- Refugee Cash assistance and Refugee Medical Assistance have been extended through January 31, 2021. More information here.
- For resources in King County, see the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice COVID-19 Toolkit (last updated 4/22/20).
- For resources statewide, see the Columbia Legal Services COVID-19 resource page
- For resources for undocumented communities, call the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) hotline at 1-844-724-3737 from 6am-9pm daily or see the Immigrants Rising resource publication.
- FAQ from the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
- OneAmerica COVID 19 Resources for Immigrants / Recursos para Inmigrantes.
For more information on immigrant access to health care, click here.
General Resources
Free mental health services for people affected by COVID: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the state is starting up Washington Listens. Washington Listens will provide non-clinical support to people experiencing elevated stress due to COVID-19. Anyone in the state can call Washington Listens. The person calling will speak to a support specialist and receive information and connection to community resources in their area. The program is anonymous and no identifying information is maintained. Call 1-833-681-0211. Washington Listens is available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method.
Nondiscrimination PDF: Office of Civil Rights/DHHS bulletin requiring covered entities receiving federal funding to comply with nondiscrimination on the basis of race , color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and exercise of conscience and religion, “including in the provision of health care services during COVID-19.”
Watch out for insurance scams
Beware of Medicare Coronavirus scams.