Basic Health and Community Health Plan

Basic Health is a state-sponsored program that provides affordable health care coverage to low-income Washington State residents.
Monthly premiums are based on family size, income, age, county, and health plan choice.
Member cost sharing comes in the form of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. In addition, each member has an out-of-pocket maximum.
For those who qualify for Basic Health, state funds will be used to help pay a portion of the monthly premium.
To qualify, an applicant must:
- Meet Basic Health income guidelines.
- Live in Washington State.
- Not be eligible for free or purchased Medicare.
- Not be institutionalized at the time of enrollment.
- Not be attending school full time in the United States on a student visa.

To meet tough economic challenges, the Washington State Health Care Authority will reduce enrollment by approximately 9,500 members between January 2009 and June 2009.
If you are a current, eligible member of Basic Health and you retain your eligibility, you will not lose your insurance.
To reduce Basic Health membership, the Health Care Authority will only enroll 1 new applicant for every 2 members who leave (disenroll) the program. This process applies statewide.
A member includes all individuals (new applicants, their spouses, and dependents) on the member account.

You will not lose your coverage if you stay qualified for Basic Health. To stay qualified:
- You must continue to qualify based on your income level, etc.
- You must continue to pay your premiums on time.
- You must respond to any request for information by the due date.
If you do lose eligibility and you try to re-enroll, your enrollment may be delayed due to limited space.

HCA reduced the Basic Health enrollment space available. It has NOT cut people from the program who currently have coverage.
HCA has not changed the criteria to qualify for Basic Health, nor have they changed the application process.
If you want to enroll, now is the time to submit your application. Basic Health fills space on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you applied or want to apply, be sure to:
- Turn in all information as soon as possible.
- Respond to any request for information by the due date on the request.
The application process has not changed, and applications are available at: http://www.basichealth.hca.wa.gov/forms.shtml
Basic Health will continue to process all applications on a first-come, first-served basis (their current process).
Basic Health will notify eligible applicants if they need more information, or when space becomes available.

Having insurance saves you money! With health insurance:
- You have access to timely appointments.
- You have a personal doctor and access to hospitals and specialists.
- You do not have to go to the emergency room for care, which can cost $500 without health insurance.
- You pay less for medical treatments.
- You don't pay a copay for preventive care visits, such as immunizations (shots), annual checkups, and well-child checks.
The cost of being uninsured if you get sick or hurt can be devastating, especially in these tough economic times.
Basic Health will continue to process all applications on a first-come, first-served basis (their current process).
If you cancel your Basic Health insurance now, you may not get back on the program when you want to.

Community Health Plan remains committed and proud to serve members of Basic Health, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage.
Eligible members are not being cut and new enrollment continues.