Special enrollment period for WA residents to sign up for health insurance extended due to COVID-19

People who don't have health insurance in Washington can continue to sign up during an extended special enrollment period in response to the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced Wednesday it is extending its special enrollment period for people without health insurance to enroll through Washington Healthplanfinder. The special enrollment period, originally scheduled to end on April 8, will now run through May 8 of this year.

To enroll, people need to contact the customer support center and select a plan. For those who sign up after April 8, coverage will begin May 1.

More than 2,500 people have signed up for health insurance coverage beginning April 1 since the special enrollment period opened.

“We continue to see a steady number of people seeking health coverage. Washington has been hit hard by the pandemic and the next several weeks will be challenging. We want to be sure that health insurance is available for those who need it,” said Exchange Chief Executive Officer Pam MacEwan. "It is critically important to provide extra time for people to gain health coverage for themselves, and their families.”

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange originally announced last month it was opening a special enrollment period to help people who didn't have insurance amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

People who have lost their jobs or part of their income should also report that, as it could make them eligible for Washington Apple Health or other assistance.

People who qualify for Medicaid through Washington Apple Health are eligible to sign up year-round.

The next open enrollment period for Washington Healthplanfinder will begin Nov. 1.

The Washington State Department of Health has reported more than 4,800 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus across the state, including 195 deaths. The latest information, however, has not been updated since Saturday night.

To slow the spread of the virus, Gov. Jay Inslee last week announced a stay-at-home order, closing all nonessential businesses and banning all gatherings. Public health officials have said the social distancing measures put into place appear to be slowing the spread of the virus, but a lot of uncertainty remains. Experts have cautioned the measures need to stay in place for longer to effectively reduce the spread.

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