Individual & Family Cascade Select FAQs

CHPW offers Cascade Select health plans on Washington’s Health Benefit Exchange, where you can purchase health insurance coverage for you alone or you and your family. These plans have a standard cost-sharing design across pre-determined levels (Cascade Select Gold, Silver, and Bronze), meaning they have the same deductible, copay, and coinsurance amounts regardless of the carrier. CHPW Individual & Family Plans provide affordable coverage for health care services centered around Community Health Center clinics in neighborhoods across Washington. In several counties, CHPW plans are among the lowest-cost options available.

Cascade Select plans are designed for Washingtonians who cannot get coverage through their job or do not qualify for other health insurance programs like Apple Health (Medicaid) or Medicare. 

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and live in the plan’s service area. Visit our Eligibility page for more details.

No. All Cascade Select plans offer the same set of benefits and the same deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. But there may be differences in monthly premiums, provider networks, care management services, and extra benefits. CHPW Individual & Family Plans focus on a local care network, anchored by the Community Health Center clinics closest to you. We try to keep our premiums low. Plus, we’re local, based right here in Washington. When you call us for additional support, you’re not reaching an out-of-state call center.

You may be eligible for financial help depending on your income: 

Tax credits help lower the cost of your health insurance premium payments each month. Tax credit amounts are based on your income and are set by the federal government. When you fill out an insurance application through Washington Healthplanfinder, you’ll find out if you qualify for these savings. 

Cost-sharing reductions mean you could pay less for things such as doctor’s visits, lab tests, and drugs. To qualify, your income must be below 250% of the federal poverty level, and you must choose a Silver-level plan. (American Indians and Alaska Natives can also qualify to get these cost-sharing reductions when they enroll in a Bronze or Gold plan.)

You can sign up for a CHPW Individual & Family plan through Washington Healthplanfinder. You can also call CHPW for help with the enrollment process. We are at 1-833-993-0181 (TTY Relay: Dial 711) from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The annual open enrollment period for 2023 coverage is November 1, 2022 through January 15, 2023. 

Certain life changes or special circumstances may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period outside of the open enrollment period. See the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (WAHBE) website for more information on Special Enrollment Periods and qualifying events.

If you qualify for Apple Health (Medicaid) you can enroll any time of year. 

Just call your primary doctor and ask them to refer you to a specialist who is out-of-network. CHPW will cover your visit as though it was an in-network doctor after a referral is made.

Cascade Care is legislation that created new, affordable health insurance coverage options for Washington residents. The options are available through Washington Healthplanfinder, the online marketplace operated by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (WAHBE).

Cascade Select is a type of “public option” health insurance plan under Cascade Care. Cascade Select plans are offered by Qualified Health Plans such as Community Health Plan of Washington under a contract with the state.

Cascade Select Gold, Silver, and Bronze are what’s referred to as “metal” categories for health plans offered through Washington Healthplanfinder. The main difference among them is whether you want to pay less at the time you receive care, or whether you prefer to pay a lower monthly premium.

Metal categories have nothing to do with quality of care, which is the same across plans. Plans in all categories provide free preventive care, and some offer selected free or discounted services before you meet your deductible.