When can I enroll in health insurance in Washington?

You can enroll in Washington health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment year-round if you experience a <a href="https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/health/qualifying-life-events/">qualifying life event</a> like losing your job, getting married or having a baby.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington (2026)

Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care Corporation and Kaiser Permanente offer the cheapest health insurance plans in Washington for the 2026 plan year.

Find affordable health insurance in Washington below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: July 5, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

Community Health Plan of Washington offers the lowest health insurance rates in Washington at $499 per month. It's the right starting point for budget-conscious residents who don't need out-of-network access.

Community Health Plan of Washington provides the lowest rates for teens ($255), young adults ($286), adults ($357) and seniors ($757). Coordinated Care Corporation offers the cheapest HMO plans at $373 monthly.

Check your eligibility for Apple Health and Cascade Care Savings on Washington Healthplanfinder before comparing premiums. Subsidy amounts can close the gap between a Bronze and Gold plan entirely for qualifying households.

Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Washington

Community Health Plan of Washington offers the lowest health insurance rates in Washington at $499 monthly, based on MoneyGeek's 2026 analysis of plans available on Washington Healthplanfinder. The insurer serves 26 of Washington's 39 counties.

Nine insurers sell plans on Washington Healthplanfinder for 2026. For a 40-year-old, the monthly gap between the cheapest and most expensive carrier is $351. All nine plans cover the same ACA-required essential health benefits, so the gap comes from network design and cost-sharing structure. Subsidy eligibility and network access also shape your comparison before you look at premiums. If you qualify for Apple Health or Cascade Care Savings, your actual cost will be lower than any rate in the table below.

Plan availability is county-based across the state, so not every carrier listed in the table below serves your area.


Community Health Plan of Washington	$499	$184	$5,988	$2,208
Coordinated Care Corporation	$530	$153	$6,360	$1,836
Kaiser Permanente	$626	$57	$7,512	$684
LifeWise Health Plan of Washington	$648	$35	$7,776	$420
Molina Healthcare	$667	$16	$8,004	$192
Wellcare Health	$701	$18	$8,412	$216
UnitedHealthcare of Oregon, Inc.	$818	$135	$9,816	$1,620
BridgeSpan	$837	$154	$10,044	$1,848
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$850	$167	$10,200	$2,004

* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider's monthly plan rates in Washington. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider's average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.

The $338 monthly gap between Community Health Plan and BridgeSpan adds up to $4,056 per year at the same Bronze tier. That annual difference is more than the $1,344 cost of upgrading from Bronze to Gold with Community Health Plan. Counties restrict which plans you can buy, so your local options may not match statewide availability.

Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW)

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$499
Average MOOP
$8,650
Average Deductible
$2,967

pros
- Ranks first in Washington for affordability
- Serves 26 of Washington's 39 counties, covering Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and most major metro areas
- $0 urgent care telehealth through CHPW Virtual Care
cons
- Offers EPO plans only with no HMO or PPO options
- Prior authorization required for some specialty care services
- Average deductible of $2,967 with an $8,650 average MOOP across all plan tiers
Community Health Plan of Washington charges $499 monthly statewide, $184 below Washington's state average. An 18-year-old on its Bronze plans pays $255 per month. For a 60-year-old, EPO Gold plans cost $1,712 monthly. Age is the primary driver of cost variation across Community Health Plan's plan range.

Community Health Plan prices below the state average because it sells EPO plans only. The restricted network gives the insurer more leverage in provider contracting, which passes through as lower premiums. At higher metal tiers, that price advantage narrows. Check the tier-specific rate for your county on Washington Healthplanfinder before assuming the statewide cheapest carrier wins at your metal level.

Gold and Platinum shoppers in Washington should compare Community Health Plan's tier-specific rates against Coordinated Care Corporation. In our Washington data, Community Health Plan's per-tier ranking shifts as metal levels rise.
Community Health Plan of Washington doesn't serve 13 of Washington's 39 counties as of 2026, including Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Skagit and Whatcom. For all other residents, Community Health Plan sells EPO plans only, which means no reimbursement for out-of-network providers except in emergencies.

Coordinated Care Corporation at $530 monthly is the right alternative for shoppers in counties without Community Health Plan access or those who prefer a referral-based HMO structure. Its Bronze deductible matches Community Health Plan's at $6,000. Compare both carriers on Washington Healthplanfinder using your county and age before choosing.

Coordinated Care

MoneyGeek Rating

4.5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

2.5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$530
Average MOOP
$8,979
Average Deductible
$3,725

pros
- Cheapest HMO plans in Washington at $373 monthly at Bronze tier
- Broader county coverage than Community Health Plan, serving Clark County and most western Washington areas
- Includes Cascade Select public-option plans, which meet extra quality standards set by Washington state
cons
- Referral required before each specialist visit
- Average monthly rate $31 higher than Community Health Plan at Bronze tier
Coordinated Care Corporation is Washington's second-cheapest carrier at $530 monthly, $153 below the state average. Its Bronze HMO rate for 40-year-olds drops to $373 monthly, the lowest HMO rate in the state. For shoppers who need a referral-based HMO network, Coordinated Care Corporation is the right alternative.

At the Bronze tier, Coordinated Care Corporation's $6,000 deductible and $10,150 MOOP match Community Health Plan's Bronze figures. The key difference is network model. Community Health Plan's EPO lets members see in-network specialists directly. Coordinated Care Corporation routes all specialty care through a primary care physician first. For most shoppers, that network structure is the deciding factor between these two carriers.
Coordinated Care Corporation's HMO structure requires a primary care physician referral for specialist visits. Washington shoppers who prefer direct specialist access without a referral should choose Community Health Plan's EPO plans at $357 monthly for 40-year-olds instead.

Cheapest Washington Health Insurance by Metal Level

Bronze plans carry Washington's lowest monthly premiums. A 40-year-old pays $357 monthly for Bronze at Community Health Plan and $469 for Gold. That $112 monthly difference buys a $4,550 reduction in the average deductible: from $6,000 at Bronze to $1,450 at Gold. Whether the difference is worth it depends on your expected health care costs for the year.

Gold plans in Washington average less per month than Silver plans in 2026. Washington adds a surcharge to Silver plan premiums to fund cost-sharing reductions. Compare all metal tiers on Washington Healthplanfinder, not only Bronze and Gold, before choosing.


Bronze	Community Health Plan of Washington	$357	$4,279	$10,150	$6,000
Gold	Community Health Plan of Washington	$469	$5,633	$7,900	$1,450

* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.

Run your own comparison on Washington Healthplanfinder using your county and age to see which carriers offer Bronze and Gold plans in your area. Rates vary by county and the $112 monthly difference between Bronze and Gold shown here reflects Community Health Plan of Washington's statewide average for 40-year-olds. Your actual difference may be higher or lower.

How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington

Check your subsidy eligibility on Washington Healthplanfinder before comparing any premium. Apple Health, Cascade Care Savings and your county of residence all determine which plans are available and at what actual cost.

1
Choose a plan type within your budget
In our Washington data, Community Health Plan's Bronze plan averages $357 monthly for a 40-year-old. Setting a firm budget ceiling before you browse prevents anchoring on a rate that looks affordable until you check the deductible, which averages $6,000 at the Bronze tier.
2
Check if you qualify for subsidies
Washington Healthplanfinder calculates your subsidy automatically when you apply and shows programs including Cascade Care Savings and Apple Health. Check your eligibility before comparing plan premiums. Subsidy amounts can close the gap between a Bronze and Gold plan entirely for qualifying households.

Residents who don't qualify for marketplace subsidies may qualify for Apple Health at no cost if their household income is at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, 22,025 for a single adult. Washington doesn't offer short-term health insurance plans through any carrier as of 2026.
3
Review Medicare Options if You Qualify
Washington residents 65 and older or those with qualifying disabilities should review Medicare options. MoneyGeek's Best Medicare Advantage Plans and Best Medicare Supplement compare all available options for Washington residents.
4
Verify prescription coverage
Check each plan's drug formulary on Washington Healthplanfinder before enrolling. The same medication can land on different cost tiers across carriers. Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care Corporation and Kaiser Permanente each maintain separate formularies. A drug your current doctor prescribes may cost a copay on one plan and full price on another.
5
Shop during Open Enrollment period
Washington's Open Enrollment period runs November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment after major life changes like job loss, divorce or the birth of a child.
6
Review Washington state requirements
Washington requires all health plans sold on Washington Healthplanfinder to cover preventive care, mental health services and prescription drugs at no cost above your premium for certain services. Plans must also meet network adequacy standards, meaning your carrier is required to have enough in-network providers within a reasonable distance. For EPO plans like those offered by Community Health Plan of Washington, that network requirement is the main consumer protection to check before you enroll.

Washington's Cascade Care program also includes Cascade Select plans, the state's public-option model, which often carry lower deductibles than standard plans at the same metal tier. Check whether Community Health Plan or Coordinated Care Corporation offer Cascade Select plans in your county on Washington Healthplanfinder.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Community Health Plan of Washington is the right starting point for most Washington shoppers. Its statewide average of $499 monthly is $184 below the state average and it leads the affordability rankings across every age group we analyzed. Residents in the 13 counties without Community Health Plan access should start comparisons with Coordinated Care Corporation at $530 monthly. Get quotes from Community Health Plan and Coordinated Care Corporation side by side for your specific age and county before assuming the statewide cheapest carrier wins your tier.

Compare Cheap Washington Health Insurance Plans

Kaiser Permanente's Basics Plus Catastrophic costs $178 monthly for an 18-year-old, Washington's lowest available premium in the 2026 market. Filter the table below by plan type, metal level and age to find plans available for your situation.

Data filtered by:


Kaiser Permanente	Basics Plus Catastrophic	$178	HMO	Catastrophic	$10,600	$10,600	18	Yes

Your Next Step:

Get your real quotes from trusted insurance providers.

*The filtered table defaults to catastrophic-tier HMO plans for 18-year-olds because that combination produces Washington's lowest available premium.

Cheap Washington Health Insurance: FAQ

Below are answers to the questions about affordable health insurance in Washington:

Community Health Plan of Washington offers the most affordable health insurance in Washington, with an overall average rate of $499 monthly for 40-year-olds across all plan tiers.

Cheap health plans in Washington come with high deductibles. Bronze plans at Community Health Plan of Washington average $6,000 in annual deductibles and a $10,150 maximum out-of-pocket cost. EPO and HMO plan structures also restrict you to in-network providers, which limits your options if you need a specialist. The lower your premium, the more you'll pay when you actually use care.

Yes, you may qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Washington. Premium tax credits are available for individuals and families earning 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Washington Healthplanfinder determines your eligibility automatically when you apply and shows available programs like Cascade Care Savings or Apple Health.

You can enroll in Washington health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You may also qualify for Special Enrollment year-round if you experience a qualifying life event like losing your job, getting married or having a baby.

Community Health Plan of Washington serves 26 of Washington's 39 counties as of 2026. Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Skagit and Whatcom are among the 13 counties without access to Community Health Plan. Residents in those counties should start comparisons with Coordinated Care Corporation, which has broader county coverage. Enter your county on Washington Healthplanfinder to see every carrier available in your area.

An EPO (exclusive provider organization) plan covers care only from in-network providers, with no out-of-network coverage except in emergencies. Community Health Plan of Washington offers EPO plans only, which is why its rates are among the lowest in Washington. The trade-off is that you must use its network for all non-emergency care.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he produces original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.

He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.

Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.

Mark holds a B.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University. He started his career in financial risk management at State Street and is also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.

Read Full Bio »

Sources

HealthCare.gov. "Health Insurance Marketplace." Accessed July 15, 2026.
Washington Healthplanfinder . "Washington Apple Health (Medicaid)." Accessed July 15, 2026.

Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington (2026)

Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Washington

How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Washington

Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW)

Coordinated Care

Cheapest Washington Health Insurance by Metal Level

How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Washington

Compare Cheap Washington Health Insurance Plans

Your Next Step:

Cheap Washington Health Insurance: FAQ

What is the cheapest health insurance in Washington?

What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?

Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Washington?

When can I enroll in health insurance in Washington?

Is Community Health Plan of Washington Available in My County?

What Is an EPO Health Insurance Plan?

Related Pages

Sources