Apple Health, the Washington Medicaid Program: Ultimate Guide

About 22% of the Washington population is enrolled in Medicaid. That represents about one out of every six adults and two out of every five children in Washington. Contrary to what a lot of people believe, about 62% of those Medicaid members are working. You might qualify and not even know it! Consider this page your ultimate guide to Apple Health, the Washington Medicaid program.

Click below to learn more about WA Medicaid:

Is Washington Apple Health Medicaid?

Apple Health is the name for the Washington Medicaid program. They are the same program.

Apple Health Benefits and Costs

Since Medicaid is both a federal and state program, Washington Medicaid is required to cover the same essential benefits as every other state Medicaid plan (but does include some additional benefits). The basic benefits included are:

  • Ambulatory services
  • Emergency services
  • Hospitalization
  • Laboratory services
  • Maternity and newborn care
  • Mental health/substance abuse treatment
  • Pediatric services (including dental and vision)
  • Prescription drugs
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Wellness services

There are no premiums, copayments, or deductibles for any of these services. Apple Health for Kids may require a low monthly premium depending on your income, but will not charge any copayments or deductibles either.

Does Washington Apple Health Cover Mental Health?

Washington Medicaid includes a very comprehensive mental and behavioral health program. You can get coverage for everything from gambling addiction support groups to psychiatric hospital care. Your plan will be with you every step of the way from assessing your needs to case management post-hospital stay.

Washington State Medicaid Drug Benefits

Medicaid covers most prescription drugs but requires prior approval for some. It is up to your doctor to prescribe generic drugs whenever possible and to use the Washington Medicaid preferred drug list. If your doctor wants to prescribe you a non-generic or non-preferred drug, he or she will have to seek approval from the Medicaid program first.

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Washington Apple Health Dental

Washington Medicaid pays for dental services for eligible members, but children and adults get different coverage. Kids can get:

  • Cleanings and exams
  • X-rays
  • Sealants, fillings, and crowns
  • Flouride
  • Extractions
  • Orthodontic care when necessary

Adults can get coverage for all of those services plus front teeth root canals, dentures, oral surgery, gum disease treatment, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Adults do not have coverage for crowns, implants, bridges, or orthodontics.

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Choosing a Washington Managed Care Plan

Most Washington Medicaid members will be enrolled in an Apple Health Managed Care Plan. Managed care means that you have a set doctor network to choose from, which means that your doctors and specialists are more likely to have a line of communication with each other and you are more likely to get the best care possible. There are five separate managed care plans: Amerigroup Washington, Coordinated Care of Washington, Community Health Plan of Washington, Molina Healthcare of Washington, and United Healthcare Community Plan. The plans are not all available in every area. Use this map to find out which of the five are available in your area.

All WA Medicaid plans include the same basic benefits, but each plan offers “extras” that may convince you to join one over another.

Amerigroup Washington

Some of the additional benefits that the Amerigroup Washington plan includes are:

  • Up to $100 per year for glasses (for adults)
  • Free smartphones for adults with monthly limits and data + unlimited texting
  • Up to three acupuncture treatments per year for adults
  • GED testing
  • Boys & Girls Club memberships for kids ages 6-18
  • Health Families Program – support and coaching for families with kids ages 7-17, + sports physicals
  • First aid and dental hygiene kits
  • Memberships for disability advocacy organizations
  • “Taking Care of Baby and Me” reward program – get $10 for first trimester visits, $40 for six prenatal visits, and $25 for a postpartum visit
  • Electric breast pumps
  • Up to $150 for newborn circumcision

Coordinated Care of Washington

There are two Coordinated Care of Washington plans. The Apple Health Core Connections plan is for youth in foster care or adoption support, while Washington Apple Health Plan is for most other members. The adult plan includes a cell phone program with unlimited texting, and both plans include a comprehensive rewards program:

  • Get $60 for infant well-care
  • Get $10 for annual well-child visits
  • Get $40 for annual adolescence well-care
  • Get $10 for annual adult well-care visits, breast cancer screenings (ages 50-74), and cervical cancer screenings (ages 21-64).
  • Get $60 for comprehensive diabetes care

Community Health Plan of Washington

A Community Health Plan of Washington enrollment can come with:

  • Free cell phone with data and minutes
  • Free sports physicals for kids
  • Boys & Girls Club memberships for kids ages 6-18
  • Rides to medical appointments
  • Independent living training (college application assistance, job training, life skill education, etc.)

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Molina Healthcare of Washington

The Molina Healthcare of Washington plan includes a virtual urgent care clinic at no cost. You can video chat with a healthcare professional without an appointment and quickly get medical advice and prescriptions for allergies, cold/flu symptoms, pink eye, and even minor burns!

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

UnitedHealthcare offers a few different types of WA Medicaid managed care plans. One option is an “HMO SNP” for those who have Medicaid and Medicare, and another is a behavioral health-only plan. The plan most people will want is the Washington Apple Health Integrated Managed Care plan (IMC). On top of its comprehensive healthcare benefits, the IMC plan offers health education, translation services, tobacco cessation, Boys & Girls Club memberships, and a healthy rewards program.

Apple Health Application

You can apply for Washington Medicaid through the online portal (WA Health Plan Finder) or by the physical application. You can download the application here and either take it to your local CSO (Community Services Office), fax it to 1-888-338-7410, or mail it to the address on the application. We recommend applying online to for the easiest approach and the fastest results.

Unlike Medicare and private health insurance plans, there is no enrollment period for Medicaid. You can enroll in Medicaid at any time of the year.

Washington Healthplanfinder

You can use your WA Health Plan Finder account to apply for coverage, renew your current coverage, report a change (new household members, new baby, income change, etc.), and make any owed payments.

Washington State Medicaid Eligibility

Medicaid eligibility is mostly based on your monthly household income compared to your household size. You also must be a legal resident of Washington State and the United States to qualify. Some legal aliens who have severe medical needs may be able to qualify as well.

Apple Health for Kids

Eligibility requirements per household are slightly different for kids, so your child may qualify for Apple Health for Kids even if your family is not eligible for full Medicaid.

Washington State Medicaid Eligibility for Seniors and Disabled Citizens

The aged, blind, and disabled WA Medicaid program has slightly different income requirements than the adult Medicaid program. In 2019, anyone who is blind, disabled, or over 65 can qualify for Medicaid with an income of $771 per month or less ($1,157 for couples). If you are disabled and employed, you can qualify at $2,290 per month ($3,100 for couples) as long as you pay a monthly premium. Your premium would not exceed 7.5% of your income.

Washington Medicare Special Needs Plans

If you qualify for Medicaid and are over the age of 65, disabled, or have either ALS or ESRD, you can enroll in a Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (DSNP). A DSNP is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that can effectively combine your Medicaid and Medicare benefits into one very low or no-cost plan.

We have licensed Medicare agents in Washington state that can lay out all of your DSNP options and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for you. For help, call 844-431-1832 or send us a message now.

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