Washington State landed just outside the top 10 states in the 2009 ranking of the healthiest states by the United Health Foundation.
The #11-ranked state's best and worst category rankings:
See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Washington.
Washington State Health Insurance Pool
Toll-free 1-800-877-5187
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting in 2010, Washington will offer health coverage to residents through the federally established temporary high-risk pool program. To find out more about Washington's participation, click here.
Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state to state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the pool to keep it in the black. In the best cases, they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Read more about risk pools here.
Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute has researched and written state-by-state guides for finding and keeping health insurance. It updates these guides as federal and state policies change. A number of non-profit organizations help fund its research. Learn more about the Health Policy Institute.
Review Georgetown's guide for Washington.
US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state.
Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Washington.
Consumer publications from Washington State's Office of the Insurance Commissioner -- includes many downloadable PDF guides on buying different types of health insurance.
Find out if you qualify for government-sponsored medical benefits -- six questions to determine whether you may be eligible for free medical services.
Washington State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) -- many families can get free or low-cost health insurance for their kids. A family of 4 with gross income up to $4,303 month may be eligible.
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Health insurance companies in Washington. Get health plan pricing for these companies. Assurant Health Asuris Northwest Health Group Health KPS Health Plans Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the NW LifeWise Health Plan of Washington Premera Blue Cross Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon Regence BlueShield |
Contact your federal officials. All Americans need your help to demand that Congress continue to support health care legislation that will make health insurance affordable and accessible to all Americans.
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
PHONE: (360) 902-4111
FAX: (360) 753-4110
Contact by e-mail
Contact your Washington Legislators
Read more on Health Care Reform!
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Individual health insurance an overview for those without employer-sponsored plans
Health insurance scams: tips for defending yourself from insurance fraud |
Private health insurance: background on the "American way" of paying for health care Self-employed health insurance: how to get – and keep – your health coverage |
Find licensed physicians near you. Each state is home to organizations that can help you find and research physicians, offering online information about a physician's license, schooling, practice information and more.
Washington Licensee Search