Health Insurance for Your Family

It’s important for everyone in your family to receive regular medical care. Health insurance helps make medial care affordable. Washington State has several health insurance programs for low-income children and families.

For Children

Free and low cost health insurance is available for children in Washington State through the Medicaid and S-CHIP programs. This insurance provides medical, dental, vision and mental health benefits, with no deductibles or co-pays. Coverage may be free for lower-income families.

• Click here for more information about Children’s Health Insurance.
• To See if You Qualify and Apply, use the Benefit Finder

For Pregnancy

First Steps is Medicaid health insurance for pregnant women. It provides medical, dental and vision benefits. It is free of charge and there are no deductibles or co-pays. First Steps can also provide social services to help you have a healthy pregnancy.

• Click here for more information about First Steps.
• To See if You Qualify and Apply, use the Benefit Finder, or call the Family Health Hotline 1-800-322-2588.

For Families

The Basic Health Plan is low cost health insurance for eligible Washington State residents. It covers doctor and hospital care, emergency services and prescription drugs. It does not cover dental or vision services. There is a premium for this insurance – the amount you pay depends on your age, income and other factors. You also pay an annual deductible and co-payments on some services.

• Click here for more information about Basic Health.

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 Washington Prescription Drug Program is open to any Washington state resident. 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.