Lifewise is the only company approved by Kreidler to sell in all 39 counties. Premera Blue Cross will sell in all counties except Clark; Bridgespan will sell in King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Spokane counties; Group Health Cooperative will sell in Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, and Yakima counties.
Only Kaiser applied to sell small employer plans inside the exchange and only in Clark and Cowlitz counties. Kreidler is still reviewing that application, and his decision is expected on August 6.
In a press release, the commissioner’s office said the approved rates are 1.8 percent lower than what the companies originally requested, resulting in a savings of more than $10 million.
“We’re now one step closer to giving Washington consumers access to affordable health insurance,” said Kreidler. “Many of the companies will look the same, but they’re going to sell all new plans with much better benefits.”
The board of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange will now review the approved plans to determine if they meet their Qualified Health Plan standards. A final decision is expected to be issued at the August 21 meeting.
