The Affordable Care Act is here, and it is time to start the sign up process! We’re ready to help you find a health plan that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Residents of Seattle can get help enrolling at a free event:
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2-5 p.m.
Garfield Community Center
2323 E. Cherry Street
Seattle 98122
Visit the enrollment calendar to find additional dates and locations.
You will learn about Washington Healthplanfinder, the way you can find, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage. You will be able to get answers to your questions, find out if you are eligible for financial help, and enroll in a plan that’s right for you. Assistance will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Somali. In order to enroll, you will need to know your birth date, social security number and income. Legal immigrants will need to supply a passport, alien or other immigration numbers.
All health plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder include basic benefits like doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions, maternity care, and preventive care like cancer screenings and vaccinations. Free or low cost coverage is available. No one will be denied coverage because they are sick or because they have a pre-existing condition.
Enrollment begins on Oct. 1, 2013 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2014.
Learn more and find other enrollment events at www.kingcounty.gov/coverage. Visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org to enroll online.
The Affordable Care Act is an unprecedented opportunity to help Seattle residents receive the care they need. It is also an opportunity to lower health care costs by decreasing reliance on high-cost medical services such as emergency room visits. And everyone in the city will benefit when we have a healthier, more productive population that is better able to contribute to and participate in our economy and civic life.
There are an estimated 26,000 Seattle residents who will be eligible for fully paid health care under the Medicaid expansion. Another approximately 30,000 Seattle residents will be eligible for partially subsidized coverage under the insurance exchange program. This is the most significant advance in health care since everyone over 65 years old received health care coverage with the enactment of Medicare in 1965.
It’s a win-win-win for Seattle, but we have to participate to ensure that we realize all of the benefits. We want to help you thrive by supporting the implementation of the ACA!