History of Basic Health

Begun as a pilot project. Created in 1987 to provide access to health insurance for low-income Washington residents. A state-sponsored introduction to health care and health insurance. Everyone participates financially; an insurance program,... - 10/02/2009

Frequently Asked Questions - Basic Health Wait List

Is Basic Health (BH) disenrolling members? Due to legislation (ESHB 1244) and required budget reductions, Basic Health must reduce enrollment by approximately 40,000 members. Reductions must take place no later than January 1, 2010. Basic Health wil... - 10/02/2009

Frequently Asked Questions About Dually Eligible Members

Frequently asked questions about dually eligible members. - 07/31/2009

Basic Health will Increase Rates to Address $255 Million Budget Cut

Rate increases will allow continued coverage for enrollees SEATTLE – Basic Health, a state-subsidized health insurance program for the working poor, will increase rates for its enrollees rather than force anyone off the program.  Basic Health c... - 06/08/2009

Swine Flu Update

The Washington State Department of Health is in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding swine influenza (H1N1) virus (or “swine flu”) in parts of the United States, Canada and Mexico. The departmen... - 05/04/2009

Update on State Budget

The responsible budget recently approved by the Legislature contains significant pain and sacrifice for Washingtonians. In the weeks, months and years to come, Washingtonians will feel the impacts of the hard decisions we were required to make after o... - 04/27/2009

2008 Basic Health Annual Report

Basic Health (BH) is a health care program administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). This program helps eligible Washington State residents pay for health insurance through state subsidies. - 03/13/2009

Customer Data Stolen from Express Scripts: How it Might Affect PEBB and Basic Health Enrollees

In mid-November, Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) told UMP that it had received extortion threats from an unknown person or persons claiming they have the personal data of millions of their customers and would expose that data if their demands for money we... - 12/11/2008

Basic Health Surveys

Please take a few minutes to complete the Basic Health Customer Satisfaction Survey or Basic Health Materials Survey. - 12/08/2008

New Information for Foster Parents

Good news for foster parents! A change in this year's legislative session will help foster parents by raising the income limit for their eligibility. Now, licensed foster parents who are within Basic Health's (BH) normal income guidelines will contin... - 08/15/2007

Help Others Get Access to Health Care

This page contains information for people interested in becoming a SHIBA HelpLine volunteer. - 04/18/2006

Mammograms and Pap Tests More Available to State's Low-Income Women

The Washington State Department of Health has announced that as many as 4,000 more low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women in Washington will have access to free women's health screenings this year thanks to new state and private funds. For more... - 04/06/2006