Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to help those needing health insurance

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has been chosen as one of nine statewide organizations to provide free assistance to people who want to buy health insurance through the state’s exchange.

The organizations, which include public health agencies, regional health networks and other community organizations, were chosen by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange to help residents enroll in health insurance for the next open enrollment period, according to a news release. Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1-Jan. 31, 2016.

Some $3.2 million of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange’s state-appropriated budget is designated toward continuing to provide a robust in-person assistance program, the release said. The health department will receive about $304,000 to provide in-person help to people who want to use Washington Healthplanfinder.

Other organizations and service areas include:

▪ Korean Women’s Association in Tacoma: Serving in King, Pierce, Thurston and Snohomish Counties as a statewide navigator organization.

▪ Better Health Together in Spokane: Serving Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens and Whitman counties.

▪ CHOICE Regional Health Network in Olympia: Serving Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, south Mason, Pacific, Thurston and Wahkiakum counties.

▪ Kitsap Public Health District in Bremerton: Serving Kitsap and north Mason counties.

▪ Public Health — Seattle & King County in Seattle: Serving King County.

▪ Sea Mar Community Health Centers in Seattle: Serving Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties as a lead organization and in Grays Harbor, Island, King, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties as a statewide navigator organization.

▪ Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement: Serving Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.

▪ Yakima Neighborhood Health Services: Serving Kittitas and Yakima counties.

People also still have access to help through registered insurance brokers and the Customer Support Center at (855) 923-4633.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to help those needing health insurance."