Medical Insurance Changes for SJ County

As has been widely reported, Kaiser Permanente is leaving San Juan County in 2020. Those who have medical insurance through Kaiser (whether an individual plan or Medicare Advantage) will need to enroll in a new insurance plan. We are fortunate that Primera LifeWise will be in our county in 2020.

Those who need to purchase an individual plan (under 65, not disabled, and do not have a plan through your employer) can rely on the Washington medical insurance enrollment tool, ‘Healthplanfinder’ at www.wahealthplanfinder.org. This tool will give you the options available to you. You will need to enroll between Nov 1 – Dec 15 to receive coverage next year. 

The plan finder will use your income to determine a sliding scale for cost. You may also qualify for Washington Apple Health / Medicaid. If you have questions you can contact Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support at 1-855-923-4633.

Those who receive Kaiser Permanente insurance through their employers may continue to have coverage until the end of their service contract, usually one year, and may continue to have Kaiser into 2020. Once that coverage ends, they will also be changing insurers. Make sure to discuss this with your employer. 

If you qualify for Medicare and would like a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can find Primera LifeWise Medicare Advantage plans at https://www.premera.com/medicare-advantage/. For these plans you will need to enroll by December 7th. You can also go to medicare.gov and select “find 2020 Health & Drug Plans.”

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