What we're working on
Cascade Select is a three-agency effort involving the Health Care Authority (HCA), Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE), and Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC).
Learn more about our procurement and rulemaking efforts with Cascade Select.
What is HCA's role in Cascade Select?
Procurement
HCA is responsible for procuring the public option plans, called Cascade Select. Cascade Select plans are required to have a standard benefit design similar to other Cascade plans. To meet our goal of offering quality, affordable health plans, Cascade Select plans must also meet additional quality and value standards and requirements.
HCA is extending contracts with current Cascade Select plan carriers through the end of 2025. The Cascade Select plan carriers for plan years 2024 and 2025 are:
- Community Health Plan of Washington
- Coordinated Care Corporation
- LifeWise Health Plan of Washington
Although there won’t be any new Cascade Select carriers, we encourage existing carriers to expand Cascade Select into counties where no public option is available. Of Washington’s 39 counties, Cascade Select is not available in Grays Harbor and Lincoln counties.
Rulemaking
HCA conducted rulemaking to address hospital participation requirements to ensure Cascade Select plans are available in every county in Washington. Learn more about our rulemaking.
Resources
- Cascade Select 2-pager (January 2023)
- Cascade Select report to the Legislature (December 2022)
- 2023 Cascade Select carriers
- Cascade Care presentation to the Joint Select Committee on Health Care Oversight: