How Much Is Health Insurance in Washington State?

On this page

• What a Washington Marketplace plan costs before subsidies
• What you’d pay after a tax credit
• Costs beyond the premium
• Washington Marketplace facts
• When to enroll
• Other options in Washington
• Frequently asked questions

What a Washington Marketplace plan costs before subsidies

Age	Benchmark silver plan, per month (2026 estimate)
21	$479
30	$544
40	$612
50	$855
60	$1,300
64	$1,437
Child under 15	$366

A family of four with two 40-year-old parents and two young children would pay about $1,956 a month for benchmark plans before subsidies.

What you’d pay after a tax credit

If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a premium tax credit caps what you pay for the benchmark plan at a share of your income. A single 40-year-old in Washington earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month for the benchmark plan in 2026, with a federal tax credit of about $325. For 2027, the same person’s federal share would be about $289 a month. Above 400% of the poverty level ($62,600 for one person for 2026 coverage, $63,840 for 2027), you’d pay full price.

Cascade Care Savings

Washington adds its own premium help for people with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level who buy a silver or gold Cascade Care plan through Washington Healthplanfinder. In 2026, it was $55 per person per month for most enrollees with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level, less than in 2025, and larger for people who can’t get federal tax credits. The state says it may still be available for 2027 to households up to 250% of the poverty level.

Costs beyond the premium

What you pay when you get care depends on your plan’s deductible, copays and coinsurance, up to the out-of-pocket maximum of $10,600 for one person in 2026 ($12,000 in 2027). If your income is under 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan’s cost-sharing reductions lower those costs.

Washington Marketplace facts

• Marketplace: Washington Healthplanfinder, run by the state’s Health Benefit Exchange.
• Enrollment: 290,109 plan selections for 2026, down about 6% from 2025. Enrollees paid an average of $343 a month after federal tax credits, before Cascade Care Savings.
• Insurers: Twelve insurers are approved to sell Exchange plans for 2027. Providence Health Plan is leaving the Exchange. If your insurer is leaving, see what to do if your insurance company leaves the Marketplace.
• 2027 prices: The Office of the Insurance Commissioner approved an average increase of 22.2%, close to the 22.4% insurers requested. Approved changes range from 6.7% for Regence BlueShield to 30.5% for Community Health Plan of Washington. Coordinated Care, the largest Exchange insurer, got 25.2%.
• Cascade Care and Cascade Select: Cascade Care plans have standard benefits that make comparing easier, and Cascade Select is Washington’s public option, available statewide since 2025. In 2026, 90% of Exchange enrollees picked a Cascade Care plan.
• Silver loading: Starting in 2026, Washington has insurers add extra cost to silver plans, which can make bronze and gold plans cheaper after the federal credit. Keep in mind that Cascade Care Savings only applies to silver and gold plans. See the difference between bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans.
• Medicaid: Apple Health covers adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, and you can apply any time. Starting in 2027, many adults in the expansion group will need to meet federal work requirements. See Medicaid work requirements.
• Other rules: Short-term health plans aren’t sold in Washington.

When to enroll

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 31 for a plan that starts January 1. For ways to keep your bill down, see how to lower your Marketplace premium.

Other options in Washington

• Job-based coverage, usually the cheapest route if it’s offered.
• Apple Health for adults and children who qualify; see health insurance for low-income families.
• Medicare at 65.

Health insurance costs in other states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

See 2027 plans and prices in your Washington county: compare quotes by ZIP code.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the average cost of health insurance in Washington state?

Before subsidies, the 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $612 a month. What you pay depends on your age, county, income, plan and any federal or state help.

How much are Washington health insurance rates going up in 2027?

The state approved an average increase of 22.2% for individual plans sold through the Exchange, from 6.7% to 30.5% depending on the insurer.

When is open enrollment for 2027 in Washington?

November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 through Washington Healthplanfinder. Sign up by December 31 for coverage starting January 1.

This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Prices are averages and estimates; your actual premium depends on your county, age, income and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.