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Major Medical coverage for individuals falls into two major categories, comprehensive plans and catastrophic plans. Comprehensive programs generally include coverage for preventive care, maternity and prescription drugs. Catastrophic programs have higher deductibles and generally do not cover preventive care, maternity or drugs.
Health Savings Accounts when combined with qualifying high deductible health coverage allow enrollees to purchase health coverage for major illnesses/accidents while at the same time contributing to a tax free savings account that can be used to pay for certain qualifying healthcare expenses. This is an excellent option for self-employed people and their families.
Review the summaries we have provided below and follow the links for more detailed information, rates and enrollment materials.
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Regence Blue Shield is one of the largest nonprofit health insurers in the State of Washington. They offer a choice of individual programs including PPO Plans and HSA plans. These plans offer on-the-job coverage for the subscriber only (important to self-employed). Regence is available to individuals living in the following Washington counties; Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom and Yakima Counties. Use of the National BlueShield network is permitted if you need care when traveling outside of Washington state.
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LifeWise Health Plan of Washington is a for-profit subsidiary of Premera Blue Cross. Their large State wide PPO network (no referrals necessary), offering comprehensive, catastrophic and HSA plans that have made them a popular choice for individuals looking for health insurance. Highlights of these plans include coverage for preventive care, vision, and on-the-job coverage for the subscriber only (important to self-employed) and all plans include a drug discount program even when the plan does not include a pharmacy benefit. Coverage while traveling outside of the Lifewise service area is subject to their allowable charge. Provider billings which exceed this amount are your responsibility.
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Group Health Cooperative (GHC), based in Seattle, is a nationally recognized consumer-governed, nonprofit, staff model HMO. They offer 3 HMO plans that require you to use Group Health; however they also offer 4 Balance plans and a HSA plan that allow you to use any provider. Similar to other major medical insurers, GHC offers both comprehensive and catastrophic programs with deductibles starting at $750. Enrollees on GHC's individual plans also have the option to enroll in a dental program offered in conjunction with Washington Dental Service (WDS). Coverage is available to individuals living in the following Washington counties; King, Snohomish, Pierce, Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Kitsap, Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor (zip codes 98541, 98557, 98559 and 98568) Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Kittitas, Yakima, Walla Walla, Whitman & Spokane.
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Assurant is a national health insurance organization with more than 110 years' experience and the first to introduce the Health Savings Account (HSA). Assurant Health is underwritten and issued by Time Insurance Company and uses the First Choice Network in Washington. They offer one comprehensive plan, a wide range of catastrophic plans, and one HSA plan. All plans provide worldwide coverage, an initial rate guarantee, and 24 hour on the job coverage for the subscriber only.
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Washington's Health Insurance Partnership
Washington's Health Insurance Partnership (HIP), provides Washington small employers with access to health insurance coverage available in the small group health insurance market, but at a significant savings.
With HIP, the employer contribution rate is only 40% of the cost of the coverage compared to the standard 75% in the small group market. To help employees pay for their share of the coverage, HIP also offers a premium subsidy (up to 90%) to eligible employees based on their family income.
Is HIP Right for your Business?
- My company has 1-50 employees.
- My company does not currently offer health insurance coverage to employees.
- In my company at least 50% of the employees are low wage (to be considered low wage, an employee's monthly wages cannot exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Contact the R.L. Evans Company for gross monthly income maximums).
If you believe you meet the criteria above, we can guide you through this process to make affordable health care a reality for your firm.
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