Community Health Plan of Washington

I switched to CHPW because it was one of two plans that covered my midwives. That is the only good thing about this place.
I have been waiting 3 flipping MONTHS for my carseat voucher, my baby is close to a month old and still have not received it– I was counting on this in my budgeting. I have called and they ‘claim’ they have sent it 3 times now, I get the run around– I call them every day– the ONE person that is supposed to send these out apparently never shows up to work. The customer service is terrible– they are nice on the phone but nothing ever gets done. I’ve asked for it to be sent with a signature required– they refuse. I am switching immediately after I get the dang seat.
Also they have very little providers in my area, especially for pediatrics. Non-​profits aren’t supposed to be POS’s.

This plan should get negative stars because that’s all it is about: NEGATIVITY. And it will only cost you money and not benefit you in any way whatsoever. I would echo exactly what «Cubby C» said in their review. NOTHING BUT HEADACHES.
I am also self-​employed and this seemed like a decent option for health insurance. However, the seemingly relatively low monthly premiums (ours was $ 320) are very deceptive because no medical service you have will be covered and the deductibles are very high.
Even preventative care, which is supposed to be covered in full, gets denied every time. Same thing for me – they claim it «wasn’t coded properly,» even though my in-​network primary care provider changed it to their exact coding system to make sure it was preventative care, a routine physical was still not covered.
This health insurance is a criminal enterprise and should be shut down!
Customer service representatives are rude and every single one gives conflicting information. I was yelled at repeatedly by one woman who refused to even listen to what I had to say.
I only wish I would have read Cubby C’s review before signing up with the plan myself. There doesn’t seem to be any recourse after multiple appeals and countless phone calls trying to get services covered that I was told are covered.

We signed up for this plan 2 ½ years ago. I didn’t go to the doctor for months because i was avoiding it. Finally I made an appointment and was seen right away. I was able to be put on medications for my diabetes, thyroid, and depression. 18 months ago I suddenly had a heart attack. I was air lifted to a specialized hospital (we are very rural) where I was operated on (all at 39 yrs old) and treated very well by the staff and doctors alike. I was so scared to know how bad the costs were going to be. In reading the plan I knew I had to pay 20% of the costs. How happy I was to find out that I had a $ 3000 out of pocket limit for the year and that was it! Everything was covered! I was elated. I had one more heart surgery that year as well as some complications, referrals to specialists around the states, many changes in medications and it was all covered. My referrals to specialists have been handled quickly and respectfully. We are self employed and we can cover our entire family of 5 for $ 503 a month. This has been wonderful for our family and we are so sad to see the changes. We’d much rather keep this insurance

DO NOT BUY CHP!!! They have a minuscule provider network. We had the plan for six months and still on a waiting list for a primary physician. When I got bronchitis, we had to go to ER because no walk in clinics accept CHP, no doctors in network available for three weeks. When we went to fill a prescription, only RiteAid would accept CHP. The ER trip was only covered 50% so basically I paid $ 300 for a bottle of cough syrup.
COMMUNITY HEALTH SCAM IS NO BETTER THAN NO INSURANCE AT ALL!

Do not sign up for this health insurance. It costs almost as much as private health insurance, but you WILL NOT be able to see a doctor when you are sick. I’ve been paying about $ 150 a month for more than a year, thinking that I would be able to see a doctor when I needed one. Finally, after paying premiums for an entire year, I needed to see a doctor for an upper respiratory infection. Under this health plan, you are only allowed to see a doctor at your designated «Community Health Center.» No problem, I live close to one. But, guess when I could see a doctor — and I mean just any doctor or physician’s assistant or whatever, not the doctor of my choice? IN EXACTLY TWO WEEKS. And unlike Group Health, Polyclinic, and other medical groups where I’ve received primary care in the past, the Community Health Centers have NO walk-​in urgent care option. Just wait two weeks and hope for the best, even if you might have undiagnosed strep, or pertussis, or walking pneumonia. This is COMPLETELY unacceptable.
In other words, I’ve paid $ 1800 in monthly premiums for something that’s basically worse than no insurance at all.
The other thing that is somewhat disturbing about this «insurance» is that, in the unlikely event that you actually do get to see a doctor when you’re sick, there’s either a $ 75,000 or $ 100,000 annual limit. Which means that, in theory, you’re covered for routine illnesses and injuries, if you don’t mind waiting two weeks to see a doctor… but if you need something expensive like cancer treatment or a transplant, you’re just going to end up dying. What a comforting thought.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Washington Health is comparable to actual health insurance. It’s not. Private health insurance is terrible, and it is no secret that the insurance companies make obscene profits at their customers’ expense. But, sadly, signing up for Washington Health will not magically make you feel Canadian. All it will do is make you poorer, without giving you real access to health care.
Update: Exactly 945 days after I posted this review, «Social Media Specialist» Morgan Denno offered a pseudo-​apology on behalf of CHPW. Thanks, Morgan! Since I never had the opportunity to use your services, you may refund my $ 1800 at your convenience.

DO NOT BUY THIS HEALTH INSURANCE !
The Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) is part of the Washington Health Program administered by the Health Care Authority (HCA). Believe me, it is not worth the headaches. Go for any private insurance plan (Regence, Healthwise, Group Health) – anything but this plan.
My husband and I started coverage with the CHPW in October 2010. We saw the Washington Health Plan and CHPW described on this web page:
and we thought it was a good match for us since we are both self-​employed and have to pay for our own health insurance.
We paid $ 372 per month for our premiums. It’s not super high but it’s definitely not cheap either. These premiums are similar to what we would have paid for a private, high-​deductible health insurance plan.
The service that I have received for the past year has been has been absolutely, incredibly TERRIBLE. This insurance plan has tried to deny paying for my annual physical, my pap smear lab screening costs, my annual cholesterol screening, AND my first mammogram for when I turned 40. All of these services are preventative services that their web site says is covered 100% when administered at an in-​network provider. My doctor and clinic are in-​network providers.
This year, I have made at least 12 different calls (and written letters) to CHPW and the HCA trying to resolve all these issues. I have also made numerous calls to my doctor’s office to make sure that they billed their services correctly. My clinic confirms that they coded all my services correctly.
As a matter of principal, I should not have to write appeals, make numerous calls, and take many hours out of my life just to have BASIC, preventative health appointments paid for by the CHPW when it clearly states on their web site that they cover these services.
I’ve tried to get help from their customer service reps, their managers, the Health Care Authority, the WA State Health Commissioner and the WA State Auditor’s Office but the buck just keeps getting passed. No one seems to want to check up on this government-​administered health insurance plan that doesn’t know what it’s doing, gives terrible customer service, and who are basically committing consumer fraud.
I am Unilocaling because I want to warn all the consumers out there who are looking to buy individual health insurance to STEER AWAY from this insurance plan.
If I can’t get justice for my health care services and fees, then I can at least help others from falling into the same frustrating fate.
DO NOT buy The Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) that is part of the Washington Health Program!