Washington · Short-term plans
Short-term plans in Washington
Looking for short-term health insurance in Washington? Here is how this coverage lane works specifically for Washington residents, what it costs, and how to get it.
Facts on this page checked Jan 15, 2026. Sources are listed at the end.
How it works here
Short-term plans, explained for Washington.
Short-term health plans are available to Washington residents as a temporary bridge — between jobs, after aging off a parent's plan, or while waiting for other coverage to begin.
These plans have low premiums but can deny pre-existing conditions, skip essential benefits, and impose caps. They are not ACA-compliant and not subsidy-eligible. State rules affect how long short-term plans can last in Washington.
Treat a short-term plan as a stopgap, not a replacement for comprehensive coverage — especially if you have ongoing health needs.
Washington facts
- Marketplace
- Washington Healthplanfinder
- Medicaid expansion
- Adopted
- Uninsured rate
- ~6.0%
Open enrollment 2027
When Washington can enroll.
- Most exchanges open
- Nov 1, 2026
- Most exchanges close
- Jan 15, 2027
- Washington Healthplanfinder dates
- Set by the state
- Confirm before you rely on a date
Washington runs its own exchange. We do not have a state-specific date on file. Confirm with Washington Healthplanfinder before you rely on a date. Outside this window, a qualifying life event (a move, a new baby, losing other coverage) can open a Special Enrollment Period.
Medicare is different.Medicare’s annual enrollment runs Oct 15 to Dec 7, 2026. For Medicare help, visit our sister site OLYRON Medicare or Medicare.gov.
Dates checked Oct 15, 2026. Sources: HealthCare.gov: dates and deadlines; CMS statement, Jul 27, 2026.
More in this state
Other coverage in Washington.
- ACA Marketplace plansSubsidy-eligible major-medical plans sold on the exchange.
- Health sharingMember-funded medical cost sharing — not insurance.
- MedicareOriginal Medicare, Advantage, and Medigap for 65+ and eligible.
- MedicaidFree or low-cost coverage based on income and household.
- DentalStandalone and bundled dental coverage options.
- VisionEye exams, glasses, and contacts coverage.
- TelehealthVirtual primary and urgent care memberships.
Questions
Good questions, short answers.
Are short-term plans available in Washington?
Short-term plans are sold in Washington subject to state duration rules. They are limited-benefit and exclude pre-existing conditions, so they suit only brief, healthy gaps.
Do short-term plans cover pre-existing conditions in Washington?
Generally no — short-term plans can deny or exclude pre-existing conditions. For ongoing needs, a Marketplace plan is the safer choice.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov — the official ACA Health Insurance Marketplace · reviewed 2026-01-15
- KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) — health policy research · reviewed 2026-01-15
- OLYRON HealthMatch editorial methodology — how we source and rate options · reviewed 2026-01-15
Before the rush
Ready to see plans in Washington?
A licensed advisor can walk through the options where you live. Free, no obligation.
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