Open enrollment for the Idaho, Washington health insurance exchanges begins Friday

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Idaho and Washington residents can begin to renew or sign up for health insurance through their respective state-run marketplaces on Friday.

Open enrollment for 2020 coverage through both Your Health Idaho and the Washington Health Benefit Exchange opens November 1st and runs through mid-December.

The Idaho Department of Insurance projects 2020 premium rates will increase by an average 6 percent in the individual insurance market and 4 percent in the small group market. Six carriers are offering a total of 116 medical plans, 13 dental plans, and two adult vision plans for the coming year on the state’s health insurance exchange, YourHealthIdaho.org.

Unique to the 2020 enrollment year, Idahoans should be aware of possible changes in eligibility due to Medicaid expansion. Under expanded Medicaid, approximately 18,000 Idahoans currently enrolled with Your Health Idaho will be newly eligible for Medicaid coverage beginning January 1st.

Meanwhile, insurance premiums for Washington’s 2020 exchange plans have decreased by an average of more than 3 percent compared to a year ago. Last year, 201,400 people in Washington bought health insurance through the state-run marketplace, of whom more than 39,000 were new enrollees.

More information is available at WaHealthPlanFinder.org.  (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Seattle Times)

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