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What is Cascade Select?

Is Cascade Select right for you? Learn more about Cascade Select, Washington’s public option in the individual health insurance market, available through LifeWise.
December 5, 2023   |   3 minute read
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Cascade Select is Washington’s public option plan offered under Cascade Care. That’s why you might hear Cascade Select plans referred to as “Public Option.” It is a cross-agency effort by the Health Care Authority, Health Benefit Exchange, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, focused on increasing the availability of quality, affordable health care coverage in the individual market, and ensuring that residents in every Washington county have a choice of qualified health plans.

     (source: Cascade Select (public option) | Washington State Health Care Authority). 

LifeWise is proud to expand our Cascade Select offering from 15 counties in 2023, to 19 counties in 2024. 

If you live in one of the following counties, consider purchasing a Cascade Select plan for your 2024 health plan coverage: San Juan, Island, Whatcom, Skagit, Thurston, Pierce, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Klickitat, Yakima, Chelan, Douglas, Benton, Adams, Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Spokane. 

Why should you choose a Cascade Select plan?

  • $1 copay is all you will pay for your first two visits to your Primary Care Doctor. The same is true for mental health services. 
  • Cascade Select plans offer the lowest premium payment per month. 
  • In 2024, Cascade Select plans have average premium increases that are nearly 50 percent lower than non-Cascade plans, with an average rate increase of just 3 percent instead of 9 percent for other plans.

What network of doctors will I have access to on a Cascade Select plan?

Cascade Select plans are on the Alpine Network. As with all LifeWise plans, you have exclusive access to Kinwell Clinics that offer primary care, virtual care, and integrated behavioral health services. Other main provider groups in the Alpine Network include Peace Health, Multicare, and many others. It’s always a good idea to make sure your preferred providers are in your network; you can do this using the find care tool. To learn more about Cascade Select and other plans offered by LifeWise, visit 2024 Health Plans | LifeWise.

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