The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is working to implement Substitute Senate Bill 5683, which creates a premium assistance program for Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens. HCA has provided the following update below:
Substitute Senate Bill 5683 passed in last legislative session has allowed the Health Care Authority (HCA) to create COFA Islander Health Care. This program allows HCA to pay the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens enrolled in a silver level Qualified Health Plan starting with January 2019 coverage. COFA citizens include individuals from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
For more information about the program and to find out who is eligible, see the attached fact sheet.
If you are interested in learning more and would like to get updates about the program, join our COFA distribution list by sending an email to COFAQuestions@hca.wa.gov.
We are also looking for outreach opportunities in your area to help individuals get coverage for next year. If you have any outreach events where HCA could potentially help spread the word, let us know.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Commission encourages community members to share the information with their families and networks.
Below is a downloadable fact sheet, produced by the Health Care Authority, about the new COFA Islander Health Care program:
06-2018 COFA Fact Sheet