Washington Healthplanfinder dates for 2027 coverage
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts for 2027 plans. |
| December 31, 2026 | Last day to sign up for a plan that starts January 1, 2027. |
| January 1 to January 15, 2027 | Sign up in this window for a plan that starts February 1, 2027. |
| January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends. |
The Exchange Board certified 81 health plans from a dozen insurers for 2027. The Insurance Commissioner approved an average 22.2% rate increase for 2027 Exchange plans (22.4% was requested). Outside Open Enrollment you need a qualifying life event; see special enrollment periods.
Cascade Care Savings and Cascade Select
Cascade Care Savings is state-funded premium help. To get it you need household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level and a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan bought through Washington Healthplanfinder. Every insurer on Healthplanfinder offers Cascade Care Silver and Gold plans.
| Who | 2026 maximum per person per month | 2027 maximum per person per month |
|---|---|---|
| Getting federal tax credits, income up to 200% of poverty level | $55 | $35 |
| Getting federal tax credits, income 201% to 250% | $55 | $20 |
| Not getting federal tax credits, income up to 250% | $250 | $185 |
- Year-round sign-up: if you're eligible for Cascade Care Savings and not already in a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan, a special enrollment period opens so you can switch in any month.
- Cascade Care plans use a standard benefit design with lower deductibles and more services covered before the deductible, so you can compare insurers on the same benefits.
- Cascade Select is Washington's public option, first sold in 2021. It uses the same standard design plus extra requirements, such as quality standards and limits on what it pays providers overall.
- Premium alignment: Washington also prices plans in a way designed to get the most out of federal tax credits, which the Exchange says protected coverage for thousands of people in 2026.
Federal changes for 2027 and how Washington fills gaps
- Enhanced federal tax credits ended December 31, 2025. Regular tax credits remain but are smaller. See premium tax credit.
- Immigrant eligibility: starting January 1, 2027, only lawful permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian Entrant program participants and Compact of Free Association migrants qualify for federal financial help. People of any immigration status who qualify by income can still get state-funded Cascade Care Savings.
- Repayment: starting with the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027), people who got too much financial help may have to pay back the full amount, with no income-based limit. Report income changes right away.
- HSAs: since January 1, 2026, Bronze and Catastrophic plans on Healthplanfinder count as high-deductible plans you can pair with a health savings account. See high-deductible health plan.
Apple Health (Medicaid) and Apple Health Expansion
Apple Health for Adults covers people ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level who aren't entitled to Medicare, according to the Health Care Authority (HCA). Children and pregnant people can apply for Apple Health regardless of immigration status.
| Apple Health change | Starts |
|---|---|
| Some noncitizen adults lose eligibility | October 1, 2026 |
| Work, training or community engagement of 80 hours a month for Apple Health for Adults, unless exempt | January 1, 2027 |
| Renewals every 6 months instead of 12 for Apple Health for Adults | January 1, 2027 |
| Retroactive coverage shortened to 1 month for Apple Health for Adults | January 1, 2027 |
| Copays of up to $35 for many services for Apple Health for Adults (not primary care, behavioral health, emergencies or some rural services) | October 1, 2028 |
Apple Health Expansion gives full-scope coverage to adults 19 and older who don't qualify for other Apple Health because of immigration status. Its enrollment cap has been met, so HCA isn't taking new enrollees, and on January 1, 2027 it moves from managed care to fee-for-service with most benefits unchanged. See Medicaid income limits.
How to enroll, and where Gabriel fits
- Gather your details: everyone in your household, expected 2027 income, current coverage, immigration documents if they apply, and your doctors and prescriptions.
- Apply online at wahealthplanfinder.org, by phone at 1-855-923-4633, or with free local help in your community.
- Compare plans on the premium after tax credits and Cascade Care Savings, the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum and the network.
- Sign up by December 31 for January 1 coverage, then pay the first premium.
Gabriel can quote Marketplace plans for your ZIP code and household, show the price after any tax credit, and open your own application with a licensed agent in most states. You choose the plan and finish the application. Separate from insurance, Gabriel Core is $49 per adult a month (kids under 18 included) with member prices close to cost on lab tests, supplements, prescriptions and bioregulators, plus unlimited virtual urgent care and virtual primary care.
Gabriel is not an insurer. Health insurance quotes and enrollment are handled by Gabriel Labs, Gabriel's separately licensed insurance agency. Gabriel membership is not health insurance, doesn't count as minimum essential coverage, and doesn't replace a health plan's protection against large medical bills.
Common questions
When is open enrollment in Washington state for 2027?
Washington Healthplanfinder's Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 31 for a plan that starts January 1, or January 1 to 15 for a plan that starts February 1.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Washington state?
It depends on your age, county and income. If your income is at or below 250% of the poverty level, a Cascade Care Silver or Gold plan can add Cascade Care Savings on top of federal tax credits, which only apply through Healthplanfinder.
How much is Cascade Care Savings in 2027?
Up to $35 per person per month for people getting federal tax credits with income up to 200% of the poverty level, $20 from 201% to 250%, and up to $185 for people up to 250% who don't get federal tax credits.
What is Cascade Select?
Cascade Select is Washington's public option: Cascade Care plans with the standard benefit design plus extra quality and provider payment rules. You buy it through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Can undocumented immigrants get health insurance in Washington?
Anyone in Washington can buy a plan on Healthplanfinder, and people of any immigration status who qualify by income can get Cascade Care Savings. Apple Health Expansion has reached its enrollment cap and isn't taking new enrollees.
Sources
- Federal changes to health insurance Washington Healthplanfinder
- Cascade Care Savings Washington Health Benefit Exchange
- Exchange Board approves 2027 health and dental plans for Washington Healthplanfinder Washington Health Benefit Exchange
- Cascade Select (public option) Washington State Health Care Authority
- What the changes to Apple Health mean for you Washington State Health Care Authority
- Apple Health Expansion Washington State Health Care Authority
- Health care for adults Washington State Health Care Authority
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.