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413 N Mission St
Wenatchee, WA 98801

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How much does Health Insurance cost in Washington State?

The cost of health insurance in Washington state varies depending on the plan tier, the insurer, the individual’s age and the household income level (if you want a subsidy to lower your cost).

Suzie and Matt have been educating and enrolling people in Health Insurance since the beginning of the Affordable Care Act and ran the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee for about six years. They have never added a fee and have added products along the way to assist our clients’ insurance needs.

Here are important key points for 2024:

  • Average Costs by Plan Tier before subsidies:
  • Bronze Plans: Around $462 per month.
  • Silver Plans: Approximately $584 per month.
  • Gold Plans: About $641 per month​.
Suzie Mccolm health and Medicare Insurance Wenatchee
4th in state for new medical business

Cheapest Health Insurance Plans:

The cheapest Silver plan is the Community Health Plan of Washington Cascade Select Silver, costing around $394 per month​.

For Bronze plans, the most affordable option is Ambetter Essential Care 1 at $282 per month​.

Factors Influencing Costs:

Age is a significant factor. For example, a 60-year-old will pay about 85% more than a 40-year-old for the same coverage​

Location within Washington can also affect premiums due to regional cost differences​. We work throughout the state thanks to video conferencing and a phone system.  There are differences between King County  and Chelan / Douglas counties.

Premium Increases:

We went into detail in May that individual plans have put in rate increases for 2025. Thirteen insurance companies requested an average 11.3% increase. Now is your time to review and comment with the state.

Health insurance premiums have increased by around 7% from 2023 to 2024 across all plan tiers​.

For personalized quotes, we use the Washington Healthplanfinder to compare different plans and check for eligibility for subsidies or cost-sharing reductions based on your income level​ first. There are times that we go off-exchange for availability as we want our clients to have the ability to choose.

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Toothaches are no joke, let’s find good dental insurance

Wenatchee Insurance, we work with a variety of companies to find which plan works best for the client. Some have waiting periods which is why we like to review plans with clients before they buy them.

Dental insurance works kind of like having a quirky best friend who sometimes covers your tab and other times makes you pay your own way. Let’s break it down:

Types of Dental Insurance Plans

  1. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
    • Description: Imagine you have a favorite pizza place, but you sometimes cheat with other pizzerias. PPOs let you see any dentist, but you save more if you stick with the plan’s favorite pizza… er, dentist.
    • Pros: More freedom to cheat on your dentist.
    • Cons: Your wallet might feel the betrayal if you go out-of-network.
  2. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
    • Description: This is like having a strict diet plan where you can only eat at certain places. HMOs make you stay within the network, or else!
    • Pros: Your wallet stays on a strict diet.
    • Cons: Less freedom to indulge in dental decadence.

Coverage Categories

Dental insurance likes to categorize things because, apparently, it’s very organized. Here’s the scoop:

  1. Preventive Care
    • Examples: Routine exams, cleanings, X-rays.
    • Coverage: 100% covered because who doesn’t like free stuff?
  2. Basic Procedures
    • Examples: Fillings, extractions, periodontal treatment.
    • Coverage: They’ll cover 70-80%, which means you’re still paying a bit, but hey, it’s better than footing the whole bill.
  3. Major Procedures
    • Examples: Crowns, bridges, dentures.
    • Coverage: Only 50%, because apparently major procedures are the fancy, designer shoes of the dental world.

Key Features

  1. Premiums
    • Description: The monthly or annual fee you pay just to be part of this exclusive dental club. Think of it as your ticket to the show.
  2. Deductibles
    • Description: The amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance says, “Okay, now I’ll help.” It’s like having to eat your veggies before getting dessert.
  3. Copayments and Coinsurance
    • Description: Your share of the costs for covered services. It’s like going Dutch on a date – you both chip in.
  4. Annual Maximum
    • Description: The max amount the insurance will pay in a year. Once you hit that, it’s like the insurance saying, “I’m tapped out, buddy. You’re on your own.”
  5. Waiting Periods
    • Description: The time you have to wait before certain procedures are covered. It’s like a countdown to Christmas, but less exciting.
  6. Network Restrictions
    • Description: Some plans require you to use specific dentists. It’s like only being allowed to shop at one store for all your dental goodies.

Example Dental Insurance Scenario

Let’s say you have a PPO plan with:

  • A $50 deductible (the price of admission).
  • 100/80/50 coverage (the friend who’s sometimes generous).
  • And a $1,500 annual maximum (the friend who’s great until they run out of cash).

For a routine cleaning:

  • Cost: $100
  • You pay: $0 (because preventive care is like the free bread at a restaurant).

For a filling:

  • Cost: $200
  • You pay: $40 (20% coinsurance after the deductible, like tipping the waiter).

For a crown:

  • Cost: $1,000
  • You pay: $500 (50% coinsurance, because crowns are fancy).

So, there you have it. Dental insurance is like having a sometimes generous, sometimes stingy friend who helps you out with dental bills but also makes you chip in and follow some quirky rules. Enjoy the ride, and may your teeth be ever shiny!

We can add dental insurance year round at Wenatchee Insurance.

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Cheapest Way to Get Full Coverage Car Insurance (With a Dash of Humor)

So, you want to get full coverage car insurance without having to sell your firstborn?  If we aren’t crying, then we are laughing. Buckle up because we’re about to take a joyride of cost-saving tips sprinkled with a bit of humor. Let’s hit the gas!

1. Shop Around Like a Bargain Hunter on Black Friday

What is the hottest Christmas toy that you can remember? Think of car insurance like that. Prices are all over the place depending on where you look. Don’t just settle for the first quote you get—channel your inner bargain hunter and shop around. We shop multiple companies to find a good fit.

2. Bundle Up Buttercup

Insurance companies love bundling as much as you love a BOGO pizza deal. Combining your car insurance with other policies can save you a pretty penny. We have some companies that you get a discount if we hold one other policy of any type which makes shopping easier.

3. Raise Your Deductible Like You’re Raising the Roof

The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. It’s like saying, “Don’t sweat the little stuff”. I just want you around when things get heavy. Just make sure you can afford that deductible if you ever need to file a claim. There are way too many Gofundmes out there that don’t make it.

4. Drive Like Your Grandma Is Watching

Safe driving pays off. Insurance companies love slow, smooth, steady daylight driver. Avoid accidents and traffic violations, and you’ll be rewarded with lower rates. Plus, your grandma will be so proud of you. Who doesn’t want a proud granny?

Sometimes it is the car.

5. Good Grades = Good Savings

Most insurance companies offer discounts for good grades. Who knew working on your future could help right now? So, next time you’re cramming for that calculus exam, remember it’s not just your GPA on the line—it’s your insurance payments too.

6. Ask for Discounts Like You’re at a Flea Market

Never be shy to ask about discounts. There are discounts for everything from being a loyal customer to simply being a responsible adult who pays bills on time. Channel your inner flea market haggler and see what you can score.

7. Drive a Sensible Car (Sorry, No Kias or Hyundais can be tough)

Insurance companies look at your car and determine how likely it is to be stolen or involved in an accident. The more that you see a car in a video on YouTube being stolen, the harder it is to insure. Look for a car that makes Mayo look spicy. Your insurance premium will thank you.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting the cheapest full coverage car insurance without having to resort to drastic measures. Remember, the road to savings is paved with smart choices—and maybe a little bit of humor along the way.

Drive safe, save money, and keep laughing!

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Individual Health Insurance Is My Plan Going To Cost More Next Year?

Matt and Suzie have been helping people find health insurance that they can understand, use and afford. We are already seeing the challenges start to build with the changes to cost for next year.

The Washington Office of Insurance has released the proposed rate changes.

Yes, every year the rates are put out for public comment for the following year. They are not the final numbers. These remind me of the 2019 increases which means people will be shopping. Select your appointment now.

When to enroll in Health Insurance

Healthcare Open Enrollment starts October 1st runs to December 15th for plans starting January 1st.

If you have a major income adjustment then you want to select from December 1st through 15th.

If you select a healthcare plan from December 16 through January 15th then it will start February 1st.

Proposed Health Insurance rates for 2025:

I am putting in the links to make comments as it is important:

Asuris is off exchange increase 15.84% requested. Make comment Here

They made $789,164 and served 994 customers they also had 84.60% in claims.

Bridgespan Health Company increase 20.28% requested. Make comment here.

They lost $2,578,400 and served 544 customers they also had 86.24% in claims.

1st NCW Health Insurance Plan on Exchange

Community Health Plan of Washington (also known as Ambetter) increase 4.54% requested make comment here.

They lost $2,958,935 and served 23,598 customers they also had 85.19% in claims.

Suzie helping enroll health insurance or medicare

2nd NCW Health Insurance Plan on Exchange

Coordinated Care Corporation increase 12.15% requested. Make Comment here.

They lost $5,758,758 after risk adjustment and served 83,378 with 81.21% in claims

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington increase 6.4% requested. Make comment here

They lost $3,189,795 and served 7,232 in Clark and Cowlitz increase 6.4% with 86.48% in claims.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington increase 7.88% requested. Make comment here.

They lost $15,507,921  and served 46,266 heavy risk adjustment payback with 86.73% in claims.

3rd NCW Health Insurance Plan on Exchange

Lifewise Health Plan of Washington increase of 8.03% requested. Make Comment here.

They made $3,570,521.20  and served 26,659 with 82.04% in claims.

Lifewise Health Plan of Washington increase of 6.9% requested. (Grandfathered Plans) Make Comment here.

They made $4,944,849  and served 2,224 with 81.91% in claims.

Molina Healthcare of Washington increase 7.55% requested. Make Comment here

They made $2,476.238  and served 41,454 with 82.02% in claims.

Premera Blue Cross increase of 14.87% requested. Make Comment here.

They made $10,754,109  and served 10,493 with 86.39% in claims.

Providence Health Plan increase 9.34% requested. Make comment here.

They lost $353,142  and served 246 with 82.95% in claims.

Regence Bluecross Blueshield of Oregon increase 16.8% requested. Make comment here.

They lost $2,655,266 after risk adjustment and served 8,397 with 85.44% in claims.

Regence Blueshield increase 23.81% requested. Make comment here.

They lost $6,585,594  and served 28,369 with 87.14% in claims.

United Healthcare of Oregon increase 23.56% requested. Make comment here.

They made $5,806.55 (thanks to risk adjustment)  and served 6,207 with 83.62% in claims.

Summary.

At Wenatchee Insurance, we enroll year round as people qualify for special enrollments. Plus we also take care of property insurance like cars, homes, and businesses alongside the Health, Medicare and Life Insurances.

Claims are driving up costs to insurance companies, who have to pass it on to consumers. Make your comments known. The more subsidy that you receive then the lower amount since the benchmark plan (second lowest cost silver plan available) will shift. There will be a lot of people shopping, select your appointment early as Suzie and Matt will run out of space available.

Does Home Insurance covers sinkholes in Washington state?

After this week’s sinkhole made a mess of rush hour traffic in Wenatchee, it is time to talk about them. Here’s a lighter take on how insurance might cover sinkholes in Washington state with Wenatchee Insurance:

Coverage for Sinkholes

  1. Standard Homeowners Insurance:
    • Not Covered: Sorry, but if a sinkhole swallows your house, your standard policy just says, “Good luck!”
  2. Add-On Coverage:
    • Possible Option: You might be able to add sinkhole coverage as an endorsement. Think of it as adding sprinkles to your ice cream – it costs extra, but it’s worth it when your house decides to play hide and seek with the earth.
  3. Earthquake Insurance:
    • Separate Policy: Earthquake insurance covers when the ground gets all shook up. But for sinkholes, you need a different kind of party invite. Make sure you’ve got the right one!

What Might Be Covered

  • Structural Damage: If your house takes a dive, this coverage helps put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
  • Personal Property: Your stuff inside might be covered, so you won’t lose your favorite couch to the abyss.
  • Living Expenses: If you need a temporary crash pad while your home gets fixed, you might get coverage for that too – so you can avoid moving in with your in-laws.

Steps to Take to cover sinkholes

  1. Review Your Policy: Dust off that policy and see if it mentions sinkholes – spoiler alert: it probably doesn’t.
  2. Contact Wenatchee Insurance: Give them a call and ask about adding sinkhole coverage. “Hey, can I get the sinkhole special, please?”
  3. Consider Earthquake Insurance: It’s a good backup if the ground decides to get jiggy with it, but remember, it’s not the same as sinkhole insurance.

Examples of Insurance Types for sinkholes

  • Homeowners Insurance: The basic “keep your house covered unless it falls into the earth” policy.
  • Earthquake Insurance: For when the ground plays maracas.
  • Sinkhole Insurance (Add-On): Optional coverage for when your house wants to star in a sinkhole documentary.

Talk to your Wenatchee Insurance agent to get the scoop on what’s covered and what’s not. Because nobody wants to wake up to a house that’s decided to dig its own basement!

Have you looked at Medicare C or Medicare Advantage?

There is original Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical insurance). Do you know about Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage? It is another way for people eligible for Medicare to receive their healthcare coverage. They are not for everybody however they make up about half the Medicare Enrollments.

assistance in understanding and enrolling with Medicare with Suzie

 They are plans offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans are not available in every county of Washington state. Every year, we undergo rigorous training by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the insurance companies to understand the rules better. They are required by law to cover all medically necessary services that original medicare covers.

One way to look at it is the original Medicare is a General Contractor. The Medicare Advantage company acts like a subcontractor. When you select one of those MA plans original Medicare moves to the background and the Medicare Advantage plan takes care of the healthcare instead.

Here are some key points about Medicare Part C:

Comprehensive Coverage: Medicare Advantage plans typically bundle Part A, Part B, and often Part D (prescription drug) coverages. They may also offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as hearing, vision, and dental.

Network Restrictions: These plans usually have network restrictions, meaning you may need to use healthcare providers who are part of the plan’s network. These are often Health Maintenance Organizations or HMO networks. Some plans also have Point of Service plans which benefit clients who travel. Reviewing networks is an important part of the Annual Enrollment Period!

Out-of-Pocket Costs: While Medicare Advantage plans can have lower premium costs, they may have different out-of-pocket costs compared to Original Medicare. They usually have co-pays for services like a traditional healthcare plan.

Additional Benefits: Many plans offer extras such as gym memberships or fitness clubs, transportation to medical appointments, and wellness programs. These are incentives or perks on top of the medical coverage that can be very attractive to clients.

Annual Enrollment: Beneficiaries can choose or switch Medicare Advantage plans during the annual enrollment periods.

From October 1st to October 14th is the review period where you can see the changes for the upcoming enrollment year.

October 15th through December 7th is the Annual Enrollment Period. This allows you to review and make changes to your Medicare plans.

Medicare Advantage plans vary greatly in terms of costs, benefits, and restrictions, so clients should compare different plans to find one that best meets their health needs.

Suzie McColm at Wenatchee Insurance has been assisting people to understand and select plans for over ten years. She also has held a pharmacy technician’s license for over twenty years which is valuable in understanding the prescription side of coverage.

simple process for insurance
Wenatchee Insurance simple process

What in the heck is Full Coverage Car Insurance?

Wenatchee Insurance Car Full Coverage

When we talk about “full coverage” car insurance at Wenatchee Insurance, we mean a bundle of insurance types that provides greater protection for your car.

Here’s what full coverages usually includes:

Liability Insurance: This is a must-have. It pays for any damage or injuries you cause to others if you’re responsible for an accident. Washington State requires a minimal amount so you may want more to be safe.  

Collision Insurance: This part covers damage to your car if you get into an accident, no matter who caused it. It’s usually required by the bank if you still owe money on your car because it helps fix or replace it. Pay attention to any deductible.

Comprehensive Insurance: This covers other types of damage to your car not caused by an accident. Mean people, dumb animals and acts God. For example: If your neighbors’ pitbull chews off your tire then you have coverage. Pay attention to any deductible.

SUV full coverage car not bullet proof

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection: This helps cover costs if another driver causes an accident and doesn’t have enough insurance (or any at all) to pay for the damage to you or your car. With 1 in 5 drivers in Washington state not having insurance, this can be incredibly handy.

Additional full coverage information:

Banks and other places that lend money for cars often require you to have all these types of insurance. They do this to protect their investment in your car while you’re still paying it off. It makes sure your car stays in good shape and keeps its value as long as you owe money on it. This setup keeps both you and the lender secure until you finish paying for your car.

If you are expecting your transmission to be repaired when breaks down, your laptop replaced after being stolen from your trunk, or your after-market parts replaced when not listed on your policy then you are going to be upset because those require other than full coverage. Let’s talk.

auto insurance couple luxury car

Is a PPO or a HDHP insurance plan better?

Suzie Health and Medicare Enrollment In person assistors

When going through the interwebs, I saw the question of someone asking what people ‘prefer a PPO or an HDHP when it came to a health insurance plan from work’.  While they are using the alphabet it is looking at different attributes of a health plan in a chocolate cake with apple pie comparison.

When choosing between a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), it’s helpful to consider advice from experts like those at Wenatchee Insurance Agency. Here’s what you might hear from them, along with some examples to make it clearer:

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

Flexibility: PPO plans are great if you want the freedom to select a doctor that accepts insurance.  For instance, if you have a preferred pediatrician at Confluence, a Cardiologist at Samaritan, and another specialist in Spokane, this plan might be best because you can visit them without needing a referral.

Costs: Wenatchee Insurance Agency might point out that while PPOs have higher monthly costs, they cover more from the start. With the wide networks, look to see if they have co-pays that occur before deductible.

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

In the old days, we called these MEC plans or Minimum Essential Coverage. These were designed to cheaply cover the ten essential coverages that every plan was required to have to avoid paying a tax penalty. The tax penalty went away on the Federal level in 2019.

Saving Money: If you’re looking to save on monthly premiums and you don’t often need medical care, an HDHP could be a better choice. For example, if you’re generally healthy and mainly need coverage in case of emergencies, the lower monthly cost could benefit you.

You take the difference between the money you would spend on an expensive plan and putting it into a savings account for later.

Health Savings Account (HSA): Wenatchee Insurance Agency would also highlight the advantage of an HSA with an HDHP if it qualifies. This is a way to save money tax-free for health expenses. Say you put $50 into your HSA each month; this money can be used for medical expenses. Some of these accounts have investment options like a 401K.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Imagine a family where one member has a chronic condition requiring multiple specialist visits. A PPO might be better for them because it reduces the hassle of getting referrals and handles more costs upfront.

Example 2: Consider a young, single person who rarely goes to the doctor. An HDHP with lower monthly payments and an HSA might be more cost-effective. This person can save money in an HSA for future needs while enjoying lower premiums.

Advice from Wenatchee Insurance Agency

Wenatchee Insurance Agency would advise looking at your current health needs and financial situation. If your family has ongoing medical needs or prefers the flexibility of seeing various specialists without barriers, a PPO might be the way to go. However, if your primary concern is budget and you are in good health, an HDHP could be more appropriate.

In summary, choosing between a PPO and an HDHP involves balancing your health care needs with your financial capabilities. Wenatchee Insurance Agency suggests that by understanding these differences and considering your personal circumstances, you can make a choice that best suits your needs and budget.

Reviewing and reading insurance plans is critical. Having an adviser that you trust is an important step.

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Help, My Job’s Health Insurance Is Too Expensive For My Family

Family Health Insurance

You probably haven’t heard about the “family glitch”. The “family glitch” is an old rule in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes health insurance too expensive. It was impacting about 5 million of Americans and made a lot of people mad.

Here’s how it worked: The ACA said that big employers have to offer health insurance that’s affordable for their full-time workers and their families.

But when it calculates affordability, they only look  at the cost for the worker, not the entire family. (This was 8.39% of the employee’s income for 2024.)

It was frustrating because it made getting health insurance hard.

Health Insurance Rule Change

This “family glitch” was impacting millions of American and was fixed by an IRS rules change. It is why a person now needs to know the lowest cost to cover the employee and the lowest cost to cover the entire family.

If an employer now offers a plan that is unaffordable, for the family then the family members can get their health insurance with the marketplace and be eligible for advanced premium tax credits to lower their monthly cost of insurance.

The employee has access to affordable health insurance from their employer and the family has affordable insurance on the marketplace. It’s a win/win.

Free help understanding Health Insurance

Not everyone knows about this important change in health insurance and this is why Suzie and Matt like to go over applications as minor adjustments can mean the difference between having coverage and not. They ran the Enrollment Center in Wenatchee assisting people for years understanding and enrolling into insurance plans without charging fees.

Wenatchee Insurance is an independent agency that does not charge fees and have extensive experience working with the Washington Healthplanfinder, Apple Health and Medicare to provide usable options for our clients.

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Topics: WenatcheeInsurance, Enrollment, Suzie, Premera, Molina, Kaiser, Chelan, Ambetter, AppleHealth, Suzie, Washington, Healthplanfinder,

Funny ways to save money on car insurance near me

Shopping for car insurance sucks. We know it and we do our best to do things differently at Wenatchee Insurance.

Car insurance by Wenatchee River Van

Saving money on car insurance doesn’t have to be a drag. Here are the top 5 humorous yet practical tips to keep your wallet happy:

Top 5


Battle of the Quotes: Treat insurance shopping like a reality TV show contest. Shayla enters the information into a rater and see which companies come out on top. May the best rate win!


Best of all no spam like from the some of the internet quote engines.


Deductible Daredevil: Boost your deductible to lower your premiums. It’s like a game of financial chicken—how high can you go without sweating bullets every time you drive?


Pro-tip: If you pay Deductible Daredevil put the amount into an interest bearing account so it is ready if you ever need it and you will be making a money from your stash.


Discount Detective: Turn into Sherlock Holmes and hunt down every discount possible. Safe driver? Check. Low mileage? Check. Anti-theft system? Triple check. Leave no stone unturned in your quest for the ultimate deal.


Bulk Buying Bonanza: Bundle your car insurance with other policies like homeowners or renters insurance. It’s like buying in bulk at the grocery store but instead of toilet paper, you’re saving on peace of mind.


Credit Score Gymnastics: Boosting your credit score can lower your premiums. Think of it as financial gymnastics—flex those credit muscles and watch the rates tumble!


With these tips, you’ll hopefully not only save some cash but also have a chuckle along the way!

Car Insurance Summary

Shopping for insurance can be overwhelming. At Wenatchee Insurance, we work hard at making insurance understandable and usable. We only work in Washington State and do not sell your data across the planet because we are an independent local insurance agency.

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Suzie Health Solutions

Health & Medicare

For nearly a decade we have assisted with Health & Medicare Solutions. We are proud to be selected by the Washington Healthplanfinder to be one of ten Enrollment Centers located in Washington State.

We work with all ages and charge no fees.

Health & Medicare

Partner Carriers

  • Allstate
  • Ambetter
  • American Collectors
  • American Modern
  • Bristol West
  • Burns & Wilcox
  • CHPW
  • Dairyland
  • Delta Dental
  • Encompass
  • Foremost
  • Guard
  • Hagerty
  • Humana
  • Lemonade
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Molina Healthcare
  • National General
  • Nationwide
  • Neptune Flood
  • Premera Blue Cross
  • Progressive
  • Propeller Bonds
  • Stillwater
  • The Hartford
  • Thimble
  • Travelers
  • Wellcare
  • Wright Flood