Summary

Despite federal efforts to repeal and undermine the Affordable Care Act, local enrollment in the health insurance exchange is up by 17 percent compared to last year.

Story

King County residents are buying health insurance in record numbers – with local enrollment in the state’s health insurance exchange up by 17 percent compared to last year.

“The Affordable Care Act can provide tremendous security and peace of mind to the American people – as long as leaders commit to making it work smoothly. We have done that in King County, and more people here are insured than ever before,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Our success with the ACA serves as a national model, and we are more than happy to share our story with the Trump Administration and those in Congress who need convincing that health reform saves lives.”
 
Now, with just a few days until the Jan. 15 deadline for purchasing insurance, King County’s outreach efforts are in high gear, with extended hours and special walk-in sites.

This year’s Open Enrollment period was shortened by the Trump administration, and advertising was cut. But after just 10 weeks of Open Enrollment, more people in King County already have selected plans than in any previous year – in less time.

• This year in King County: 93,500 plan selections 
• Last year in King County: 79,850 plan selections  

Even more residents are enrolled in Medicaid (Apple Health) plans, which were expanded under the Affordable Care Act and allow enrollment all year to those who qualify.

The local commitment has included new outreach locations, targeted to neighborhoods that have higher numbers of people without insurance, including a “storefront” location opened this fall in Federal Way.

“Our strategies are working, thanks in large part to our incredible network of Navigators, including our own staff who will be working extra hours and through the holiday weekend to support people who need help before the deadline,” said Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health — Seattle & King County.

Navigators are insurance experts who help people enroll, at locations that range from coffee shops to colleges, community centers and city halls. King County’s navigators have already given personal assistance to more than 5,000 clients during open enrollment, surpassing 125 percent of their target.

For anyone hoping to enroll before the deadline, compare insurance options on Washington Healthplanfinder.

For help with questions:

• Visit Public Health’s help page, at www.kingcounty.gov/coverage
• Call the Public Health insurance hotline (during business hours), at 800-756-5437
• Call Healthplanfinder’s consumer hotline at 855-923-4633

To get in-person help, residents can contact a navigator or private insurance broker, find an enrollment event listed online, or visit one of King County’s special last-minute walk-in sites include:

Thursday, Jan. 11

• Star Restaurant, 16005 International Blvd, SeaTac -- 5 to 8 p.m.
• Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline -- 5 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 13

• El Centro de la Raza, 1660 S Roberto Maestas Festival St, Seattle -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• HealthPoint – Midway, 26401 Pacific Highway S, Des Moines -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 15

• Seattle ORCA Lift Office, 201 South Jackson St, Seattle -- 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Federal Way Enrollment Center, 1640 South 318th Place, Suite B, Federal Way -- 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Kona Kai Coffee, 14350 International Blvd, Tukwila 98168 -- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Relevant links

• Washington Healthplanfinder
• King County health care coverage
• King County Public Health Insider blog

Quotes

The Affordable Care Act can provide tremendous security and peace of mind to the American people – as long as leaders commit to making it work smoothly. We have done that in King County, and more people here are insured than ever before. Our success with the ACA serves as a national model, and we are more than happy to share our story with the Trump Administration and those in Congress who need convincing that health reform saves lives.

Our strategies are working, thanks in large part to our incredible network of Navigators, including our own staff who will be working extra hours and through the holiday weekend to support people who need help before the deadline.

For more information, contact:

Alex Fryer, Executive Office, 206-477-7966

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