Cascade Care Savings

Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington. Apple Health is free or low-cost health insurance coverage for those who qualify. Covered services include primary care, emergency visits, maternity services, pediatric care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications and more. 

Tax credits and Cascade Care Savings reduce the amount you pay monthly. To get these savings, your household must be under a certain income level. You cannot get these savings if you qualify for Apple Health.

Cost-sharing reductions lower the out-of-pocket costs of your health plan. You qualify for cost-sharing reductions based on your income. The lower your income, the more you can save. You must sign up for a Silver plan to get these savings.

Metal levels are categories of health plans. They group plans by how much of the cost of care they cover. Often, a lower premium means the cost of care will be higher, and vice versa.

All metal levels cover essential health benefits.

 

How to Choose a Metal Level

There are a few things to consider when choosing a metal level plan. Keep in mind that these levels do not pertain to quality of care, only the amount of coverage.

 

Choose a Bronze plan if you rarely use your coverage.

If you do not go to the doctor or use prescriptions often, a Bronze plan may be a good fit. These plans cost less per month but cover less of the cost when you need care. In most cases, Bronze plans do not qualify for savings.

 

Choose a Silver plan if you regularly use your coverage and qualify for savings.

You may want to choose a Silver plan if you qualify for premium or out-of-pocket cost savings. These savings can be applied to Silver plan costs.

 

Choose a Gold plan if you frequently use your coverage and qualify for savings.

If you expect to go to the doctor or use prescriptions often, a Gold plan may be a good fit. These plans cost more per month but cover more of the cost when you need care. Savings can also be applied to Gold plans.

View our Metal Level Guide for more details.

Smart Planfinder finds the best plan for you and your family.

Smart Planfinder will ask a few questions about your household’s needs. Based on your answers, it will recommend plans that are most likely to meet these needs.

 

Smart Planfinder tells you if your doctor and prescriptions are covered.

You can use Smart Planfinder to search for plans that cover specific providers, facilities or prescriptions. You can select up to five providers and five prescriptions in the tool.

When you choose a plan based on provider, we recommend calling the provider to verify. Covered providers can change throughout the year. Though we keep records up to date, it is safest to ask the provider if they accept that plan.

 

Smart Planfinder estimates your yearly costs.

Smart Planfinder will ask about the medical care and prescriptions you expect to use. It uses these answers to estimate the yearly cost for each plan. This estimate includes premiums and out-of-pocket costs like copays, co-insurance and deductibles.

 

Smart Planfinder highlights Smart Choice plans.

Smart Choice flags appear on plans that are recommended for you and your family. A Smart Choice recommendation considers the yearly cost and any preferred providers or prescriptions.

 

Smart Planfinder compares plans side-by-side.

In the end, you are the expert in your household’s needs. Smart Planfinder allows you to compare plans side-by-side so you can choose the best plan available.