Apple Health and the public health emergency

What does this mean for Apple Health clients?

HCA resumes normal operations April 1, 2023. Clients will receive a renewal notice prior to the end of their renewal period sometime over the next 12 months, based on a client’s renewal date. View the Changes to Apple Health continuous coverage fact sheet.

For example, clients with a renewal date in May, will receive a renewal notice in the month of April. Clients found not eligible could lose their coverage as early as 4/30, but more likely at the end of May.

Premium collection restarting soon

Monthly premium collection for Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) and Apple Health for Kids with Premiums also known as Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were paused during the PHE. Clients will receive postcards notifying them of premiums resuming at least six weeks prior to receiving their notice in the mail.

HWD premium collection

Premium collection for HWD coverage will resume July with a due date of 8/15/2023.

CHIP premium collection

Premium collection for CHIP coverage will resume July with a due date of 7/15/2023.

What can clients do to stay informed?

The best way Apple Health clients can stay informed is by keeping their contact information up to date. This ensures they don’t miss important notices about their coverage, including their renewal notice. Learn how clients can update their contact information.

Clients should watch for their renewal notice and take timely action to keep their coverage active. Clients will have the opportunity to renew their coverage prior to any closure or transition of coverage.

En español: Actualice su información de contacto de WA Apple Health (Medicaid)

Volunteer Apple Health ambassador program

Apple Health ambassadors are volunteer community partners. Ambassadors raise awareness around actions clients need to take to maintain coverage by sharing tools and messaging to reach clients.

Their participation in our outreach and communication creates a cohesive voice through culturally competent consistent messaging.

Learn more about our Apple Health ambassador program and view examples of client communications.

Public health emergency status

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will expire on May 11, 2023. HCA will still resume normal operations starting April 1, 2023.

Translated resources

Apple Health clients can use these translated resources to help learn how to report a change or apply for or renew coverage. 

Report a change

Apple Health coverage for adults, pregnant individuals, children, and parent/caretakers

Report a change for Apple Health coverage in Washington Healthplanfinder (HCA 19-0090)

Report your changes today to be sure you get Apple Health (Medicaid) updates about your coverage. To learn more, download our flyer on how to report a change in Washington Healthplanfinder.

Also available in the following languages:

አማርኛ - Amharic | العربية - Arabic | မြန်မာ - Burmese | អក្សរខ្មែរ - Cambodian (Khmer) | 中文 - Chinese | لفارسية - Farsi (Persian) | 한국어 - Korean | ພາສາລາວ - Laotian | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ - Punjabi | Русский - Russian | Af-soomaali - Somali | Español - Spanish | ትግርኛ - Tigrigna | Yкраїнський - Ukrainian | Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese

Apply for or renew coverage

Apple Health coverage for adults, pregnant individuals, children, and parent/caretakers

Renewing your Apple Health coverage (HCA 19-053)

Apple Health coverage must be renewed each year to maintain health coverage. To learn more, download our flyer on how to renew.

Also available in the following languages:

አማርኛ - Amharic | العربية - Arabic | မြန်မာ - Burmese | អក្សរខ្មែរ - Cambodian (Khmer) | 中文 - Chinese | لفارسية - Farsi (Persian) | 한국어 - Korean | ພາສາລາວ - Laotian | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਦੇ - Punjabi | Русский - Russian | Af-soomaali - Somali | Español - Spanish | ትግርኛ - Tigrigna | Yкраїнський - Ukrainian | Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese

Need language assistance?

Language assistance services are available free of charge, including direct services by bilingual employees, interpreter services, and the translation of printed materials. View our Language assistance fact sheet (translated in 15 languages) to learn more about Apple Health and how to access language assistance.

More information

Sign up for email updates

Stay informed by signing up for GovDelivery updates. Select “Apple Health (Medicaid) programs and eligibility”.

Webinars

View upcoming webinars on Apple Health and unwinding from the PHE.