The Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) is a nonprofit health plan providing health benefits to residents denied health insurance or unable to obtain comprehensive coverage because of their medical status. It was establshed under the Washington State Health Insurance Access Act of 1987 (RCW 48.41).
WSHIP has offered benefits plans for individual coverage as well as Medicare supplemental coverage. WSHIP’s non-Medicare plans were closed to new enrollment in 2014, and the majority of enrollees today are in our Medicare supplemental plans.
WSHIP is overseen by a Board of Directors that represents consumers, employers, health care providers, agents, and member plans (carriers). The Insurance Commissioner or designee is an ex-officio, non-voting director. The program is funded soley by enrollee premiums and assessments to Member Plans (carriers).
Administration is provided by 90 Degree Benefits who handles eligibility, enrollment, customer service, premium billing, claims processing, and assessment administration. Other vendor partners include Express Scripts for prescription drug services, MedWatch for care managment, and First Choice Health for provider network services. An Executive Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the Pool augmented as necessary with consulting services.