Washington State Health Care Resources
State Health Insurance Websites
- Under age 65: WAhealthplanfinder.
- Over age 65 and people with disabilities: WA Connection.
Health Care Advocacy & Information
- AARP Health Care and Coverage – highlighting the latest news on health care and insurance with a focus on people 50 and over.
- Center for Medicare Advocacy – providing information on Medicare and Medicare-related topics.
- Community Catalyst – supporting state and community leaders engaged in health advocacy for the most vulnerable and underserved constituencies.
- Families USA – working towards everyone having access to the best health and health care.
- Medicare Rights Center – helping older adults and people with disabilities to access Medicare.
- National Health Law Program – advocating for health care for low-income people.
- National Women's Law Center – educating the public about ways to make laws and public policies work for women and their families.
Finding Help in Washington State
- Columbia Legal Services – serves people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status.
- Health Care for the Homeless Network – resources to help people who are experiencing homelessness in King County access health care.
- King County Bar Association – volunteer legal services for low-income residents of King County or Washington residents who have a legal issue in King County.
- Northwest Justice Project (NJP) – you can submit an application for legal assistance 24/7 to the Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral (CLEAR) program, call the CLEAR hotline at 211 in King County, or call 1-888-201-1014 outside of King County (TTY 206-461-3610); CLEAR*Sr is available for those 60 years or older at 1-888-387-7111.
- Solid Ground – assists low-income individuals who have had their state health and public assistance benefits reduced, terminated, or denied.
- Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) – volunteers help people with their Medicare questions.
- WashingtonLawHelp – self-help legal materials from NJP on a wide range of subjects, including public health care programs, medical bills, and charity care.
- WithinReach – an online directory of community-based resources for families, including health and basic needs or available by phone at 1-800-322-2588.
Reports
FEB 2023
Landscape Scan of Spanish-Speaking Immigrants in Washington
Starting in January 2024, many more Washingtonians will be eligible to access health coverage via WA Healthplanfinder. Ant
JUNE 2021
The Medicare Cliff: How Washington State is Failing Seniors and People with Disabilities
NoHLA recommends that Washington state improve supplemental coverage for lower-income Medicare enrollees. Many lower-income seniors and people with disabilities lose their affordable, comprehensive health coverage when they qualify for Medicare. This “Medicare Cliff” disproportionately hurts women and communities of color.
APRIL 2018
County-Based Coverage for Adult Immigrants
NoHLA recommends county-based coverage programs as a new approach to provide comprehensive health care to uninsured immigrants across Washington state.
AUGUST 2017
Contraceptive Coverage in Washington State’s Qualified Health Plans
NoHLA examines how Washington health insurers have implemented prior recommendations to comply with the ACA contraceptive coverage requirement.
AUGUST 2016
Consumer Reforms Needed at Yakima Regional and Toppenish Hospitals
A report from NoHLA and OneAmerica highlights the need for Yakima Regional and Toppenish hospitals to ensure that patients who qualify for financial assistance actually receive it.
JULY 2016
Consumer Involvement in Regional Decisionmaking
Washington recently established Accountable Communities of Health (ACHs) in each of nine regions of the state for purposes of health system decision-making. These ACHs offer a watershed opportunity to actively include members of communities that experience disparities in health outcomes and access to care in making these decisions.
APRIL 2015
Contraceptive Coverage in Washington State's Qualified Health Plans
NoHLA with assistance from NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, examines whether insurance companies selling health plans through the online marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder, are complying with the ACA's contraceptive coverage requirement.
JANUARY 2015
Improving Transparency in Insurance Decisions
NoHLA proposes improvements in the system for collecting, analyzing, and making publicly available the decisions issued by Independent Review Organizations when consumers appeal a denial of health insurance coverage.
SEPTEMBER 2015
NoHLA Survey of Health Care Navigators and Assisters
NoHLA conducts its second annual online survey of the navigators and assisters who help Washington residents apply for health coverage and issues the results and recommendations for improvement.