The Washington Health Benefit Exchange board of directors last month provided final certification of Qualified Health Plans to be offered through Washington Healthplanfinder during the second open enrollment period. 

The open enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15, 2015, provides coverage starting at the beginning of 2015. 

Washington Healthplanfinder is an online marketplace for individuals, families and small businesses in Washington to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage and gain access to tax credits, reduced cost sharing and public programs such as Medicaid.

Following initial approval by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), the board certified 10 health insurance carriers at the monthly board meeting to offer 82 qualified health plans for individuals and families. Additionally, five insurance carriers will offer six pediatric qualified dental plans. Last year, eight health insurers were approved to sell 46 plans through Washington Healthplanfinder.

“We’re thrilled to see the number of available health plan options has doubled in one short year,” says Richard Onizuka, CEO of Washington Healthplanfinder. “Not only will these additional coverage options increase consumer choice, they will also foster competition among our participating health insurance companies.”  

Every county in Washington state will see an increased number of health plans options during the next open enrollment period. Approved insurance companies that are new to the market include Columbia United Providers and Moda Health Inc. Platinum plans, which typically offer the highest monthly premiums but the lowest out-of-pocket care costs for consumers, will be now be offered for the first time through BridgeSpan in 12 counties.

New health plans still under review by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner include Health Alliance Northwest Health Plan Inc., United Healthcare of Washington, and Dentegra. If these additional health insurance companies are approved, the board may provide final certification at a later date.

Approval from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and board certification for these plans is required under the Affordable Care Act to ensure that each plan meets the requirements for qualified health plans and 10 essential health benefits, including regular doctor’s visits, maternity care and hospital stays. 

The following insurance carriers were approved to sell health and pediatric dental plans through Washington Healthplanfinder: BridgeSpan Health Co., Community Health Plan of Washington, Columbia United Providers, Group Health Cooperative, LifeWise, Moda Health Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc., Premera Blue Cross, Kaiser Health Plan of the Northwest, Delta Dental of Washington, Dental Health Services, Kaiser Health Plan of the Northwest, LifeWise, Premera Blue Cross—for pediatric dental only.

The small business market, Washington Healthplanfinder Business, will be available statewide for the first time this year with 23 different health plans. Plans will be available through Moda in all counties while Kaiser Health Plan of the Northwest will continue to offer health plans to small businesses in Clark and Cowlitz counties.

Washington Healthplanfinder Business allows small business with up to 50 employees to compare plans, decide their contribution level and manage payment. Eligible small business owners may also access tax credits when they enroll through the state exchange.

“We’ve seen tremendous interest from small business owners who would like to evaluate their options through Washington Healthplanfinder Business this year,” says Catherine Bailey, director of Washington Healthplanfinder Business. 

Eight additional multistate plans must be certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management before they can be offered through Washington Healthplanfinder. Multistate plans are provided by OPM and private insurance carriers and intended to drive additional competition in health insurance marketplaces across the country.

The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder begins on Nov. 15, 2014, for health insurance coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2015. The open enrollment period will extend through Feb. 15, 2015.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is a public-private partnership established in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 to implement a new health insurance marketplace for individuals and small businesses. The exchange is separate from the state and governed by an independent 11-member board.