Washington Health Insurance Marketplace Grants Awards List

Washington has received four grant awards to build its Health Insurance Marketplace. This includes a Planning Grant, three Level One Establishment Grants and a Level Two Establishment Grant.

Summaries of Washington’s applications for each grant are provided below:

Establishment Grant Level Two Application Summary

Administrator: Washington State Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange)
Award Amount: $127,852,056
Award Date: May 16, 2012
Administrative Supplement Award Amount: $8,403,669 (April 22, 2013)
Administrative Supplement Award Amount: $21,197,618 (July 8, 2013)
Application Due Date: March 30, 2012
Supplement Amount: $8,403,669 (April 22, 2013)
Supplement  Amount: $21,197,618 (July 8, 2013)

Level of Funding: Level Two

Summary: Washington will use Level Two funding to accomplish the activities necessary for the Exchange to meet certification requirements in January 2013, provide coverage to enrollees by January 2014, and be self-sustainable by January 2015. Grant funding will provide assistance to hire staff and consultants to manage activities related to the creation and on-going operations of the Exchange. In addition, funding will be used to support the development of an IT system to facilitate Exchange functions. These include eligibility, enrollment, and information exchange among individuals, employers, insurance carriers, and state and federal government agencies.

Administrative Supplement Award Amount: $8,403,669 (April 22, 2013)

Summary:  Washington will use the level two grant supplement to enhance the by establishing a strategic outreach and education campaign that is essential to meet enrollment as part of an overview of the expanded coverage options under the ACA.  WHBE will also produce over forty different types of correspondences to applicants, enrollees, employees and health insurance plans to ensure proper communication and timely notifications.

Administrative Supplement Award Amount: $21,197,618 (July 8, 2013)

Summary: Washington will use the level two grant supplement to implement system changes the System Integrator vendor and the Exchange to address unforeseen software issues in compliance with ongoing guidance from CMS to ensure that the system can accommodate the increased demand during open enrollment.    

Establishment Grant Level One Application Summary

Grantee of Record:  Washington Health Benefit Exchange
Amount Requested:  $26,998,778
Award Date:  December 22, 2014
Application Due Date:  November 14, 2014
Supplement Amount: $9,308,442 (December 18, 2014)

Level of Funding:  Level One

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange received funding to further establish functionality of its website and develop a stable environment for improved customer service as the Marketplace works with Navigators, brokers, and carriers to increase individual and group enrollment. The funding will provide resources for tools that will assist in stabilizing the system and help staff assist consumers in completing the eligibility and enrollment process. Funding will also support SHOP functionality and other functions.

Administrative Supplement Award Amount: $9,308,442 (December 18, 2014)

Summary:  Washington will use the level one grant supplement to enhance the marketplace’s consumer engagement efforts, IT systems, and operations costs.  Washington will provide resources for the IPA program and customer support center, supplies and equipment, invoice/payment staffing, auditing, data fixes, and user acceptance testing.

Administrator: Washington State Health Care Authority
Award Amount: $22,942,671; $84,633,761
Award Date: May 23, 2011; January 22, 2014
Application Due Date: March 30, 2011; November 15, 2013
Level of Funding: Level One

Summary: Washington will use resources from the Affordable Care Act to develop options and recommendations on policy decisions that will have a significant impact on the Exchange. The grant will also provide funds to develop a health information technology system that will support its Exchange.

This second Level One award will assist Washington’s Marketplace to enhance the Washington Healthplanfinder website, improve the customer experience, and add functionality to enhance the Washington Health Benefit Exchange brand and products offered. The funding provides additional resources to support: call center staffing and training, translation services, staff for reconciling complex applications, and consultants to assist with improving business processes; evaluation of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange’s outreach to consumers through the In-Person Assister program and the Marketplace’s marketing campaign; and the inclusion of adult dental products and a dental shopping experience.

State Planning Grant

Awarded September 30, 2010

Administrator: Health Care Authority (HCA)

Amount Awarded: $996,285

• Develop an implementation plan by September 30, 2011.
• Focus on cost containment and quality.
• Conduct IT Infrastructure Review and Assessment – coordinate with requirements and business functions in the Planning Report. In 2011, a technology work plan will supplement the implementation plan.
• Focus on legislation that will likely follow the completion of the implementation plan specifies the intent and legal direction of a State-based Exchange
  

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