Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best Health InsuranceWashingtonBest Health Insurance in Washington
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Washington directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). MoneyGeek’s scoring methodology balances costs, claims approval and plan types to find the best providers in the state.
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October 2023 for the 2024 enrollment period.
PacificSource has the highest MoneyGeek score for health insurance in Washington, with a rating of 80 out of 100. It has plan options that are more affordable than average, lower out-of-pocket costs and better management of claims.
In Washington, we looked at data from 15 Silver EPO plans, eight Silver HMO plans and two Silver PPO plans to find the best health insurance.
Very low rate of claim denials
Diverse range of plan types available
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington is PacificSource. This provider offers two Silver PPO plans at an average plan rate of $534 per month. The average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,750.
PacificSource's Silver PPO plans have more out-of-network coverage, which can be helpful if you visit doctors or hospitals outside the network. It offers an average plan rate of $534, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $7,750.
PacificSource has a denial rate of 3%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans:
PacificSource is the best health insurance in Washington for low out-of-pocket costs, with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100. The provider offers plans with competitive prices, has low out-of-pocket costs and fewer denials of claims compared to others.
For this category, we looked at 17 Gold EPO plans, nine Gold HMO plans and two Gold PPO plans in Washington.
Low out-of-pocket costs
Very few claims denied
Diverse range of plan types
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington for low out-of-pocket costs is the provider that offers one Gold EPO plan. An EPO plan usually means you can use doctors and hospitals within its network, which can help keep costs down.
It has an average plan rate of $427, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $6,100.
The provider has a lower denial rate than most of the competition.
Community Health Plan of Washington is the best cheap health insurance provider in Washington, earning a score of 69 out of 100. The company offers more affordable plan options, maintains lower than average out-of-pocket expenses and denies fewer claims compared to other providers.
For this analysis, 20 Silver plans in Washington were evaluated, with a total of 15 Silver EPO plans, eight Silver HMO plans and two Silver PPO plans. MoneyGeek focused more on plans with lower monthly premiums for their ratings, though plans with lower monthly costs may have higher out-of-pocket expenses.
Low frequency of claim denials
Wide variety of plan options
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best cheap health insurance in Washington is the Community Health Plan of Washington. It offers two Silver plans.
The Community Health Plan of Washington provides Silver PPO plans. PPO plans often have more coverage for seeing doctors outside the network.
It offers an average plan rate of $394, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $9,200.
The Community Health Plan of Washington has a lower denial rate than most of the competition.
PacificSource provides the best health insurance in Washington for young adults, with a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100.
It has more affordable plan options, lower out-of-pocket costs on average and better than average at not denying claims. Remember, only young adults under 30 years old can buy Catastrophic plans.
For young adults in Washington, we looked at 33 Bronze plans and one Catastrophic plan.
Affordable premium rates
Low out-of-pocket costs
Infrequent claim denials
Offers many plan types
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington for young adults is PacificSource. Younger people often choose plans like the Catastrophic, Bronze or Expanded Bronze since they generally need fewer medical services. PacificSource has three Bronze plans for young adults. These plans average about $293 a month and have an average maximum out-of-pocket cost of $8,467 each year.
PacificSource provides PPO plans in Washington that include more options for out-of-network care. Its denial rate is about 3%, which is lower than most of the competition.
Plan Recommendations
MoneyGeek recommends the following plans for young adults:
Health insurance companies have different kinds of plans. The best providers for all plan categories are:
MoneyGeek's recommendations say Silver plans balance premiums and out-of-pocket costs well. Silver plans are fitting for people who often use health services.
In Washington, there are 15 Silver EPO plans, eight Silver HMO plans and two Silver PPO plans available.
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington for Silver PPO plans is PacificSource. It offers two Silver PPO plans. The insurer offers an average plan rate of $551, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,475. The provider has a low denial rate of about 3%.
Silver PPO plans are popular among health insurance options. They let you choose your doctors and see specialists without a referral, which gives you more choices. But, they can be pricier than other types like HMO plans, so they might not fit everyone's budget.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver PPO plans from PacificSource:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington for Silver EPO plans is Premera. It offers two different plans. The insurer offers an average plan rate of $720, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,075. The company has a denial rate of 17.3767%, which means it denies fewer claims than average.
Silver EPO plans let you see doctors who are in the network, usually without needing to get a referral for specialists. This is good if you need to see a doctor who is an expert. But with these plans, you must stay with doctors and hospitals in the network unless you have an emergency. This can limit your choices.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver EPO plans from Premera:
MoneyGeek's top pick for the best health insurance in Washington for Silver HMO plans is Molina. It offers an average plan rate of $468, and the average maximum out-of-pocket cost for these plans is $8,463. Molina has a denial rate of 0.19%, which is good because it denies fewer claims than average.
Silver HMO plans tend to be less expensive and are common. With a Silver HMO, you pay lower monthly payments, but you have to see doctors in your network except in emergencies. You also need a referral to see a specialist. This is good if you can easily go to in-network providers.
Plan Recommendations
We suggest the following Silver HMO plans from Molina:
You should consider the medical services you need and your budget when shopping for health insurance. For instance, a higher monthly premium could mean a lower out-of-pocket cost, so you can pay less when you access treatment.
Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you
Health insurance can be a bit like a game of choosing teams. Some plans have a special team of doctors that you can see, called "in-network". If you see these doctors, your plan helps pay for it. But if you pick a doctor not on the team, "out-of-network", you might have to pay more or all the cost.
If you live in Washington, you've got different teams to choose from. Some plans let you see more doctors, but might cost more. Others cost less, but you have to stick to the team.
In Washington, there are 15 EPO plans, eight HMO plans and just two PPO plans you can pick from.
Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care
When you look for health insurance, it's like trying to find the best mix of two costs. Every month you pay a premium. Then there's the most you'll pay out-of-pocket.
If you don't go to the doctor much, a low premium might be good. But, if you need more care, picking a plan with a higher premium can mean paying less overall when you get medical services.
Let's talk about the Silver plan with the friendliest out-of-pocket limit. The "Navigator Silver 5000" has a max out-of-pocket cost of $7,750. Now, this plan's monthly premium is $534.
This is better out-of-pocket than the "PacificSource Cascade Silver" plan. But remember, plans with both low premiums and out-of-pocket costs are best. They're like a great deal if they cover the doctors and hospitals you need.
Medicare is a federal health care program for residents in Washington over 65 and individuals with qualifying disabilities or illnesses. Although it’s not entirely free, it’s significantly cheaper than insurance plans from private providers. Services under Medicare include the three following parts:
MoneyGeek reviewed the best Medicare Advantage plans and the best Medicare Supplement plans, so you can make a more informed decision about your health care.
Since Medicaid is free, it is the most affordable option for eligible Washington residents. Washington is a Medicaid expansion state, so you can qualify based only on your income. Medicaid is available for individuals in Washington with a household income below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Concerns about health insurance cost and availability are common for shoppers. MoneyGeek answered some of the frequently asked questions about health insurance in Washington.
The best health insurance in Washington for 2024 is provided by PacificSource Health Plans. However, the best choice for you will depend on your unique circumstances and needs.
Health insurance organizations offer different kinds of network services for their policyholders. HMOs are usually cheaper but have strict in-network policies outside of emergencies. EPOs are similar but provide more leniency about seeing specialists without a referral. PPOs are generally Washington’s most expensive option but offer the most service flexibility.
There is typically a trade-off between your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. A policy with cheaper premiums may need you to pay more for medical services before your insurance can kick in.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
