Best Health Insurance Agencies in Federal Way

Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  If you're looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, an agent can help you save time, understand your options, and manage your costs. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. They can provide information about on- and off-exchange plans to help you weigh all of your options, and they can see if you qualify for tax credits that can lower your monthly premiums. There's no cost to work with an agent, and they can help you save quite a bit by recommending the best plan for your needs. Here's what you should know before you get started.
  

• Are Federal Way residents required to have health insurance?

  Residents of Federal Way are not penalized in any way if they do not have health insurance, but they are strongly encouraged to get one. A new law that went into effect in 2017 eliminated a penalty that had been imposed on anyone in the state who did not have a minimum level of health insurance coverage.

• Should individuals in Federal Way covered by Washington Healthplanfinder health insurance disclose any alterations to their income?

  Yes, once you have health insurance, a person in Federal Way should quickly tell Washington Healthplanfinder about any changes to their household, income, address, or ability to get health insurance. It is important to report changes so that you keep your information correct and make sure you get the right amount of financial help.

• How do the federal No Surprises Act and the Balance Billing Protection Act protect consumers in Federal Way?

  If these laws apply to your plan, they protect Federal Way residents from various types of out-of-network surprise bills. The billing maximum for emergency and non-emergency services provided by an out-of-network facility or provider cannot exceed the in-network cost-sharing amount, especially when services are provided at an in-network hospital or outpatient surgical facility.

• Where can you report health insurance fraud in Federal Way?

  You can report health insurance scams in Federal Way to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner in Washington State. The fraud report, as well as any other documents you send, will be made public. A complaint can be filed online at https://www.insurance.wa.gov/report-insurance-fraud-washington-state. If you require any additional information, please contact their office at 360-586-2566.

• What do Federal Way tobacco surcharges in health insurance policies mean?

  In Federal Way, a Tobacco Use Premium Surcharge represents an extra fee, typically amounting to $25, added to the monthly medical plan premium for dependents who use tobacco products. Exemption from this surcharge is granted when individuals can substantiate the absence of tobacco product usage among themselves and their enrolled dependents. Furthermore, those covered by their medical plan's tobacco cessation program, including all tobacco-using dependents, also qualify for exemption.

• How can you find affordable health insurance? 

  Affordable insurance is available through employers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers subsidies in the form of tax credits. You can also purchase coverage through private insurance companies and independent agents. Nearly half of all Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, and about 10% of the population is uninsured.