Beginning March 2009, enrollment targets are set monthly based on anticipated disenrollment of existing participants, reenrollment of former participants and a budget-driven overall enrollment target. For September 2011 the enrollment is 35,758, a drop of over 66% from January 2009 enrollment of 106,771. The estimated wait list for enrollment as of September 2011, based on the Basic Health average family size, is approximately 152,000.
Pursuant to HB1086, Basic Health disenrolled approximately 17,000 members effective March 1, 2011.
As an option for residents on the subsidized Basic Health wait list, the nonsubsidized Washington Health Program offered its first month of low-cost health coverage in July 2010. Operating at no cost to the state, enrollment for this full premium program has been brisk and reached over 6,100 by August 2011. We anticipate the growth in enrollment over the next year to continue to be steep.