Washington Health Insurance

Washington has moderate health insurance regulations. It's important to familiarize yourself with them, so you can exercise your rights should the need ever arise.

This guide:

  • Describes Washington health insurance policy regulations.

  • Lists rules Washington health insurance companies must follow.

Washington health insurance policies and other state insurances are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. Washington health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

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You can pick what coverage you want and set your limits and deductibles, before applying for more personalized rate info. This is a service that will provide you with competing quotes from local agents who can also offer help with setting coverage limits, deciding on a plan, etc.

Washington health insurance policy provisions

Some of the most important Washington health insurance laws are the ones that influence the health insurance policy specifically.

One of the more universal policy provisions is the guaranteed renewability provision. In Washington this clause, stating that a policyholder has the right to renew an existing health insurance policy as long as no part of the contract was violated, is a required element in all health insurance policies.

A second important provision of Washington health insurance policies that is allowed to be included is a pre-existing exclusion period clause. Exclusion periods can last for up to 9 months.

Medical conditions are considered to be pre-existing if you received medical treatment for or were diagnosed with them in the 6 months before the beginning of your Washington health insurance plan.

In situations of switching your Washington health insurance make sure you have continuous coverage, because state laws allow your old coverage to be used to credit the pre-existing condition period of your new Washington health insurance plan. This means if, under your old Washington insurance policy, your condition was excluded from coverage for 5 months, the maximum exclusion period under your new plan, would be 4 months, not 9.

Finally, under Washington health insurance laws, newborns and adopted children are covered by their parent's insurance policy if the policy already provides coverage for dependents. The coverage ends after 60 days and the policy needs to be amended to include these dependents.

Regulating Washington health insurance companies

The other area of importance in regards to Washington health insurance laws is the degree of influence your health insurance company has over your Washington insurance policy and its price.

You can be denied Washington health insurance on the basis of your health and age or charge you higher premiums because of youe family size and residency.

However, Washington health insurance companies cannot charge you more because of poor health.

However, since Washington health insurance company can't refuse to renew your existing health insurance policy not even on the grounds of illness, it is advisable to buy health insurance while you are young and healthy to guarantee a comprehensive health insurance policy.

Temporary Washington health insurance

If you are seeking temporary Washington health insurance, conversion policies are a good choice. They are available to individuals who have recently left a fully insured Washington group policy, lost their Washington insurance though death or divorce or recently lost eligibility as a dependent under a parent's health insurnace policy.

Although the price may be higher and the coverage less than your old Washington health insurance policy, conversion policies offer adequate insurance in times when you have breaks in between your coverage.

These policies will not require a new pre-existing condition exclusion period and will never be canceled because you fall ill.

Temporary Washington insurance, for those that do not qualify for a conversion policy, can also be obtained in Washington.

More WA health insurance help

If you want more help getting the a good Washington health insurance quote and policy, read our guide to health insurance.

Also see the guide to Washington small business health insurance.

To find out more about WA health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website posted by the Insurance Commissioner.