What the numbers say about Washington
Washington ranks the 48th highest of 51 on our State COBRA Exposure Index, which combines those three measures. Uninsured figures are 2024 Census estimates covering all 39 counties in the state.
What is different about Washington
Washington runs its own health insurance marketplace rather than using HealthCare.gov.
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, the federal schedule. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1.
Where plans are priced
Individual health plans are not priced statewide. Washington is divided into geographic rating areas, and the plans available to you — and what they cost — depend on which one your county falls into. Two households an hour apart can face a different list at a different price. This is why a national quote figure means very little, and why a licensed agent will ask for your ZIP code before anything else.
COBRA in Washington
COBRA is federal law, so it works identically in every state. If your employer had 20 or more employees you have 60 days to elect from the later of losing coverage or receiving your notice, then 45 days to make the first payment, and coverage reaches back to the day your old plan ended. You pay 102% of the full premium.
What varies by state is what happens when federal COBRA does not apply. If your employer had fewer than 20 employees, Washington may have its own continuation law — often called mini-COBRA — with different durations and eligibility. Ask about this specifically if you worked for a small employer, because it is easy to be told "you do not qualify for COBRA" and not be told about the state alternative.
How COBRA works in detail · COBRA compared with a marketplace plan · All your options after a job ends
Common questions
How much is health insurance in Washington?
There is no single answer, because Washington is split into geographic rating areas and prices differ between them. Your age, household size and income all change the figure too. What we can say concretely is that a full COBRA premium consumes about 10.0% of median monthly household income here, which is the 8th lowest of 51 in the country — one reason so many people in Washington look for an alternative.
When is Open Enrollment in Washington?
November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 for 2027 coverage, following the federal schedule. Enroll by December 15, 2026 if you want coverage starting January 1.
Can I get short-term health insurance in Washington?
Not in practice. They are permitted on paper but state rules made them commercially unviable and carriers have withdrawn from Washington.
What if my employer in Washington had fewer than 20 employees?
Federal COBRA would not apply, but Washington may have its own continuation law covering smaller employers. Durations and eligibility differ from federal COBRA. Ask specifically about state continuation — people are often told they do not qualify for COBRA without being told the state alternative exists.
Does losing my job in Washington let me buy insurance right away?
Yes. Losing job-based coverage opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for a marketplace plan, and only 30 days to join a spouse's or parent's employer plan. Medicaid has no window at all and can be applied for any day of the year.
Is Medicaid an option in Washington?
Possibly, and it is worth checking first because there is no enrollment window and no premium. Medicaid is assessed on current monthly income rather than annual, so a recent job loss can qualify you right away even if the year as a whole looks too high. Washington has expanded Medicaid, so the income ceiling is higher here than in the states that have not. Confirm the detail with Washington rather than relying on a national summary.
Why does my premium differ from someone else in Washington?
Because plans are priced by rating area rather than statewide, and your age and household composition also matter. Someone in a neighboring county can genuinely face a different set of plans at different prices.
Is there a health insurance agent near me in Washington?
You do not need one physically nearby. Plans in Washington are sold and priced by county, and a licensed agent can look up exactly what is available in yours from anywhere. Calling (866) 821-1808 connects you with a licensed agency covering Washington.
Talk it through with a licensed agent
Which option is right depends on your state, your income and which doctors you need to keep. A licensed agent can walk through it with you in about eight minutes.
Free to call, no obligation, and we never ask you for payment. CobraScout is paid by the agency that answers, not by you. TTY 711.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, 2024 (released August 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, state layoffs and discharges, July–December 2025
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, median household income
- KFF, 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey
- U.S. Department of Labor, FAQs on COBRA Continuation Health Coverage for Workers