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Understanding Your Washington Health Insurance Options

A Consumer's Guide to Health Care Coverage: Understanding Your Health Insurance Options

In the past few years, the face of health care in Washington state (and across the country) has changed dramatically. Many of these changes directly affect your rights and options as a consumer of health insurance and, in some cases, may affect your access to coverage as well as care.

To help you keep up with the constant changes in the health insurance market, understand your rights and options, and obtain health care coverage that meets your needs, my staff has prepared this consumer guide. It will help you understand:

what kind of health plan may be best for you and your circumstances;
how different types of health care plans work, and;
how to obtain quality care and fair treatment from your health care providers.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for consumers to have adequate health insurance. Uninsured people may avoid getting treated for medical conditions that can escalate into major health and financial problems.

If you have insurance questions or concerns, call our Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900. Our professional consumer advocates enforce insurance law and can investigate complaints against insurance companies and agents on your behalf. We also offer individual counseling and group education on health care issues in your communities. Our highly trained SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors) HelpLine volunteers can help you understand your rights and options regarding health care coverage, prescription drugs, governmental programs, and more.

Coverage by Region:

Resources:

Articles:

Washington Health Guide Pages:

Links: