Cascade Select (public option)
Cascade Select is Washington’s public option plan offered under Cascade Care. Cascade Care is a multi-agency effort involving Health Benefit Exchange (HBE), Health Care Authority (HCA), and Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). HBE manages Cascade Care and HCA is responsible for procuring Cascade Select plans. Learn more.
History
HCA initiated a procurement and successfully contracted with five public option carriers, as authorized under Senate Bill 5526 in 2019. Procurement for Cascade Care plans began in February 2020 and Cascade Select plans (public option) were first offered through Washington Healthplanfinder in 2021.
Senate Bill 5377, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, provides additional guidance for Cascade Care.
Goals
The goals of Cascade Select are to increase the availability of quality, affordable health care coverage in the individual market, and ensure residents in every Washington county have a choice of qualified health plans.
Progress towards goals
For plan year 2024,
- Average premium increases for Cascade Select plans are nearly 50 percent lower than non-Cascade plans. This includes an average rate increase of just 3 percent, instead of 9 percent for other plans.
- Public option rates are the lowest-premium silver plans in 31 counties, up from 13 in 2023.
- Public option plans are available in 37 counties, up from 34 counties in 2023 and 19 in 2021.
- Ninety-nine (99) percent of current Washington Healthplanfinder customers have access to a public option plan.
Difference between Cascade Care and Cascade Select plans
A Cascade Care plan has a standard benefit design that emphasizes lower deductibles and providing access to services before having to pay the deductible. Customers can make “apples to apples” comparisons across different insurance carriers because the benefits are the same.
Cascade Care offers health insurance coverage options on the individual market through Washington’s Healthplanfinder (offered by HBE).
A Cascade Select plan is Washington’s public option and has the same standard benefit design, along with additional requirements, such as:
- Incorporating community quality standards
- Value-based purchasing
- Ensuring aggregate limits on provider reimbursement
These standards help increase access to high-value care at a lower cost.
Enroll in Cascade Care or Cascade Care Select
You can enroll in health care coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment, beginning November 1, 2024, through January 15, 2025. You can enroll in a Cascade Care plan throughout the year if you qualify for the Cascade Care Savings Special Enrollment Period. Learn more on the Washington Healthplanfinder website.
News and updates
Date |
Title |
---|---|
March 18, 2024 | HCA to extend Cascade Select carrier contracts |
September 22, 2023 |
In 2024, Cascade Select plans will be available in 37 out of 39 Washington State counties |
February 10, 2023 |
Enrollment triples in Washington’s Cascade Select Public Option |
January 31, 2023 | New name for Cascade Select rulemaking page |
December 22, 2022 | |
October 12, 2022 | |
October 4, 2022 | Washington Health Benefit Exchange announces Cascade Care Savings |
July 1, 2022 |
HCA identifies ASBs for proposed 2023 Cascade Select public option plans |
March 4, 2022 |
HCA releases RFP for public option procurement under Cascade Care |