Federal changes to health insurance

Everyone in Washington can get health and dental insurance, regardless of immigration status. However, some new rules may change how you sign up, who can sign up and how much you pay for health insurance.

Open enrollment is shorter: November 1 through December 31, for health insurance starting on January 1, 2027.
Fewer people can get financial help: Some new laws change who can get financial help to pay for health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder.
Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) requirements: Visit Washington State Health Care Authority for more information.
Ongoing and future changes: Some changes started in 2025 and 2026. Other changes will start in 2027 and 2028. See Important dates for more information.
Immigration eligibility: Learn more on the Immigrants page.

How to prepare

Because of these changes, it will be more important than ever to:

Read all messages from us and your insurance company.
Keep your account information up to date.
Keep track of important dates.

What you should do

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How much you pay

Some people may not get the same financial help to lower the cost of insurance. Some changes are only happening at the federal level and will not affect Washingtonians.

Financial help options

Tax credits

Tax credits are one way to get financial help to pay for health insurance.

From 2021 to 2025, the federal government offered extra tax credits to help lower monthly insurance costs. These extra tax credits ended on December 31, 2025, and Congress did not extend them.

Some tax credits are still available, but less financial help is available.

Cascade Care Savings may still be available to households who earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Health saving accounts (HSA)

More plans contribute to health savings accounts. A health savings account (HSA) lets you save money for medical costs.

Starting January 1, 2026, both Bronze and Catastrophic plans through Washington Healthplanfinder count as high-deductible health plans.

This means you can use these plans to contribute to a health savings account (HSA).

Financial help for your situation

Immigrants

As of October 1, 2025, people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status no longer qualify for tax credits.

As of January 1, 2026, lawfully present immigrants with incomes below 100% FPL who are not eligible for Medicaid lost access to tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

Starting January 1, 2027, only these groups will qualify for federal financial help:

Lawful permanent residents (LPRs)
People participating in the Cuban-Haitian Entrant (CHE) program
Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants

People of any immigration status who qualify based on income can still receive state-funded Cascade Care Savings.

Gender-affirming care

Federal rules about gender-affirming care have changed. However, Washington state law still requires all health insurance plans to cover these services. Washington Healthplanfinder customers will not see a change in their gender-affirming care benefits.

What you should do

Read your messages

Washington Healthplanfinder will contact customers about enrollment changes. Be sure to read all messages from us and your insurance company.

If you need language support to read a message from Washington Healthplanfinder, call 1-855-923-4633.

Keep your income up to date

To avoid overpaying

You must report income changes right away. If your income changes and you do not update your account, you may have to pay more. The financial help you receive is based on the income you report on your application.

Starting with the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027), people who get too much financial help may have to pay back the full amount. The payback amount will no longer be limited by income.

To avoid penalties

Keep your account information up to date, especially if your income changes during the year. Because of federal changes, penalties may be higher if your income information is not current.

To maintain automatic reenrollment in financial help

If you do not confirm or update your information, you will not be automatically reenrolled with financial help for the next year.

How to sign up

Keep in mind that open enrollment has changed. Everyone can sign up from November 1 to December 31.
Some people may need to send extra documents. We will contact you if we need more information.
There may be more steps to apply and get approved.
Local support is available in your community and virtually to help you answer questions and get enrolled.

Steps to apply

Important dates

2025

October 1, 2025, people with DACA status no longer qualify for tax credits.

2026

January 1, 2026, Bronze and Catastrophic plans can be used with a health savings account (HSA).
October 1, 2026, Washington Apple Health eligibility and benefits change for noncitizens.
November 1 through December 31, 2026, open enrollment for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.

2027

2027 (for the 2026 tax year), people who got too much financial help must pay back the full amount. There is no longer a limit on payback amounts.
January 1, 2027, only lawful permanent residents (LPRs), Cuban-Haitian Entrant (CHE) program participants, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants qualify for federal financial help.
January 1, 2027, work requirements for Washington Apple Health for Adults begin.

2028

In 2028, people must show they qualify for financial help before receiving it.