Peninsula Daily News
OLYMPIA — Those who could not finish their applications for health coverage through wahealthplanfinder.org before the Dec. 23 deadline have until Jan. 15 to enroll in retroactive coverage that begins today, the state said.
But they may incur medical expenses before the records are completed.
However, those expenses can be reimbursed, said Richard Onizuka, CEO for Washington Healthplanfinder.
There may be a delay between the time enrollment is completed and when a customer is shown as fully enrolled with the selected health plan, he said.
“Some may incur out-of-pocket expenses if using services prior to their enrollment information being fully reconciled with their new health insurer,” Onizuka said.
“Please be patient and know that if you are determined eligible for coverage, follow required steps and finalize your plan selection and payment by Jan. 15, your services will be reimbursed according to your plan benefits.”
Although coverage is effective today for those who are eligible for the retroactive option, customers may not receive health plan identification cards or other plan information until later in January.
Customers may be required to pay the full cost of treatment or prescription medications they receive if the provider cannot verify coverage.
Customers can contact the health plan provider with questions about how to use benefits before they receive their ID cards.
The retroactive option applies to applications started or submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23.
Individuals will have their insurance benefits retroactively configured to the start of the year if they are determined eligible, indicate their interest in coverage beginning today and select and purchase a health plan by Jan. 15.
Washington Healthplanfinder will send customers notifications outlining steps to bypass or to fix errors affecting their applications.
Customers will need to select and purchase their health plan by Jan. 15 and notify Healthplanfinder they are interested in Jan. 1 coverage.
As of Dec. 23, more than 65,000 Washington residents selected and purchased a private health plan.
Nearly 70,000 were determined eligible and must take the final step of submitting payment to receive health coverage.
Washington Apple Health — Medicaid — does not have an open enrollment period. Individuals and families will be able to apply and complete their renewals via www.wahealthplanfinder.org throughout the year.
For more information about Apple Health, phone toll-free 1-800-562-3022 or email AskMedicaid@hca.wa.gov.
For more information about Washington Healthplanfinder, see wahealthplanfinder.org.