WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Thirteen health insurance companies have requested an average rate increase of 22.4% for the 2027 individual health insurance market in Washington.
The requested rate changes follow consecutive years of premium increases in the state. For the 2026 individual market, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner approved an average rate increase of 21%. For the 2025 market, premium rates increased by an average of 10.7%.
Insurers base requested rate changes on assumptions regarding the services policyholders will utilize and the cost required to deliver that care. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner is reviewing the requested changes and will complete the review in September 2026, before open enrollment begins in November 2026.
Fourteen insurance companies offered individual plans in 2026. Providence Health Plan, which had 254 enrollees, will not offer coverage in 2027.
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More than 280,000 people in Washington do not receive health insurance through an employer and purchase coverage from the individual market. About 250,000 of those individuals shopped through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange in 2026. This enrollment figure was down 13% from 2025.
The drop in enrollment followed the expiration of the federal Enhanced Advanced Premium Tax credits. Congress originally established the enhanced tax credits under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and extended them through December 31, 2025, under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Congress did not renew the credits beyond the 2025 expiration date.
Among people buying plans through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, 90% utilized a Cascade Care Savings plan in 2026, compared to 79% in 2025. Cascade Care plans are available through the Exchange for households at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Requested individual health plans and average rate changes for 2027 are as follows.
Insurance company Exchange status Number of people impacted Requested average rate change Asuris Northwest Health Off Exchange 789 14.9% BridgeSpan Health Company On Exchange 209 12.7% Community Health Plan of Washington On Exchange 36,854 24.5% Coordinated Care Corporation On Exchange 97,979 27.8% Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest Both 8,180 9.5% Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Both 40,341 14% LifeWise Health Plan of Washington On Exchange 25,628 21.3% Molina Healthcare of Washington, Inc. On Exchange 30,845 25.8% Premera Blue Cross On Exchange 9,639 24% Regence BlueShield Both 16,016 8.6% Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon Both 8,336 17.4% UnitedHealthcare of Oregon, Inc. Both 6,759 26.4% Wellpoint Washington, Inc. Both 269 13.7% Total 281,844 22.4%
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