What is WSHIP?
The Washington State Health Insurance Pool (www.wship.org) is our state's high-risk insurance pool. Created by the state legislature, it offers insurance to Washingtonians rejected in the individual market for health reasons.
With health reform, insurance companies can no longer deny individual coverage due to health reasons. However, health reform does not apply to Medicare Supplement plans. Insurance companies can continue to reject or limit Medicare supplement coverage due to health issues.
WSHIP Medicare plans
WSHIP sells the Medicare Basic plan (www.wship.org) to Washingtonians in two situations:
- People on Medicare who've been rejected due to health reasons by a Medicare Supplement plan.
- People who live in an area where plans don't offer coverage.
WSHIP non-Medicare plans
If you're already on a WSHIP non-Medicare plan, you can stay on it. WSHIP non-Medicare plans are not accepting new enrollees. You no longer have to answer questions about your health to buy an individual health plan. If you buy a plan through the Washington Healthplanfinder (www.wahealthplanfinder.org), depending on your income level, you may qualify for federal help paying your premium.
Contact WSHIP
For more information, call 800-877-5187 or go to WSHIP's website (www.wship.org).