Health Insurance for Your Family

It is important to have regular medical care for your children and for yourself. Washington State provides free and low cost health insurance to low-income children and families.

For Children

Children’s Health Insurance

Washington State provides free and low-cost health insurance for eligible children. Your child will receive medical, dental, vision and mental health benefits through the program. The program is available for both citizen and non-citizen children.

• Use the Benefit Finder to see if your children may qualify and apply for Children’s Health Insurance
  
  

For Families

Basic Health

You and your children may qualify for the Basic Health. Basic Health is a program that helps eligible Washington State residents purchase low cost health insurance. It covers doctor and hospital care, emergency services and prescription drugs. It does not cover dental or vision services. Currently there is a waiting list to get enrolled in Basic Health.

• Learn more about Basic Health and the waiting list.
  
  

If You Don’t Qualify

If you don’t qualify for any of the programs above, there are other options:

• Community Clinics:
  Some clinics provide medical care at reduced cost to you, called a sliding scale fee. These clinics provide good care, but the amount you pay may be less if you have less money coming in. To find a clinic, call the Family Health Hotline 1-800-322-2588.

• Private Insurance:
  You may be able to purchase a private health insurance plan for your child or yourself. To learn what’s available you can call the Washington State Insurance Commissioners’ Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Helpline at 1-800-562-6900.

Prescription Assistance

Washington State offers two prescription assistance programs to help you pay for some or all of the cost of your medicine.

• The free Washington Prescription Drug Program Discount Card gives discounts on all medications to all Washington state residents regardless of age or income. Learn more about the program and enroll online to get the discount card. You can also call 1-800-913-4146.

• Rx Help for WA is a program that helps low-income, uninsured Washington residents get free or discounted medicines. Learn more about the program. You can also call 1-877-923-6779.

Family Planning/Birth Control

You and your partner may be eligible to receive free birth control through a program called Take Charge.

• Call the Family Planning/Take Charge Hotline at 1-800-770-4334 to see if you may qualify for this program.