OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington and Oregon are among the first six states to receive early approval from the Obama Administration to operate a health insurance exchange.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services announced the decision on Monday.
Washington Healthplanfinder will be the online portal for people to compare and enroll in health insurance coverage in Washington. Washington Healthplanfinder will begin enrolling consumers on October 1, 2013, for health insurance coverage beginning on January 1, 2014.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said 200,000 uninsured Washingtonians will be eligible to receive insurance through the exchange.
Oregon's insurance exchange will be called Cover Oregon. The federal health care overhaul required all 50 states to have an exchange where small businesses and uninsured individuals can shop for health coverage and access federal subsidies.
Federal officials say Oregon's application was given conditional approval because the state hasn't completed all required actions but will be ready to operate by October.
