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West Virginia Health Insurance Consumer Guide
West Virginia has a partnership exchange for its health insurance Marketplace. This means you enroll through HealthCare.gov, which is run by the federal government. However, West Virginia oversees the plan certification process for plans sold in the state.
You can use the Marketplace to enroll in health coverage for yourself or your family. The Marketplace also allows you to see if you qualify for premium subsidies or cost-sharing reductions (CSR) to lower your premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
The Marketplace is a good option for:
- Self-employed individuals
- Early retirees not yet on Medicare
- People whose employers don’t provide insurance coverage
This guide explains the West Virginia ACA Marketplace and helps you understand your options.
Explore our other comprehensive guides to coverage in West Virginia
Dental coverage in West Virginia
In 2023, there is only one insurer offering stand-alone individual/family dental coverage through the health insurance Marketplace in West Virginia.
West Virginia’s Medicaid program
West Virginia implemented the ACA Medicaid expansion in 2014. This led to over 655,000 people enrolling in Medicaid as of April 20231
Medicare coverage options and enrollment in West Virginia
In 2023, there were 445,699 Medicare beneficiaries in West Virginia.2 Our guide explains Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and the Medigap plans available in West Virginia.
Short-term coverage in West Virginia
You can buy short-term health insurance in West Virginia for an initial duration of up to 364 days. These plans can be renewed for up to 36 months.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance in West Virginia
Who can buy Marketplace health insurance?
Anyone who meets the following criteria can buy Marketplace health coverage in West Virginia:
- You live in West Virginia
- You’re a U.S. citizen, national, or lawfully present
- You’re not incarcerated
- You don’t already have Medicare
Your eligibility for financial assistance, like premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions, depends on your income and how it compares to the cost of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area. This cost varies based on your age and where you live.
To qualify for financial help on the Marketplace, you must:
- Not have access to affordable health coverage through your employer. If you think your employer’s health coverage is too expensive, use our Employer Health Plan Affordability Calculator to see if Marketplace premium subsidies are available to you.
Not be eligible for West Virginia Medicaid or CHIP.
When can I enroll in an ACA-compliant plan in West Virginia?
You can sign up for an ACA-compliant individual or family health insurance in West Virginia between November 1 and January 15 during open enrollment.3
Sign up by December 15 for your coverage to start on January 1. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, your coverage will begin on February 1.
If the open enrollment deadline has passed and you don’t meet the SEP requirements, you can still sign up for an ACA plan. However, specific conditions need to be met, such as:
- Your income falls below 150% of the poverty level, and you’re eligible for premium tax credits. In this scenario, you can enroll until at least 2025.
- Native Americans can enroll whenever necessary.
For people who lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage between March 31, 2023, and July 31, 2024, there’s an extended SEP available for enrollment.4
How do I enroll in a Marketplace plan in West Virginia?
Use any of the following options to enroll in a Marketplace plan in West Virginia:
- Visit HealthCare.gov
- Call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). The call center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for holidays.
You can also find local help from local insurance agents, brokers, or certified application counselors. They help you review plan options and choose a plan to fit your needs. Find help at localhelp.HealthCare.gov.5
How can I find affordable health insurance in West Virginia?
You can find affordable health plans in West Virginia on the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov).
For the 2023 open enrollment period on the exchange:
- 95% of eligible enrollees qualified for premium subsidies.6
- Subsidies (called Advance Premium Tax Credits or APTC) save West Virginians about $1,057 monthly in 2023. Those with subsidies pay an average premium of $128 per month.6
Apart from APTC, if your household income falls below 250% of the federal poverty level, you may also qualify for cost-sharing reductions (CSR).7 CSRs help reduce deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicaid is another affordable health insurance option if you’re eligible.
Short-term plans are low-cost alternatives for people not eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or subsidies.
Source: CMS.gov8
How many insurers offer Marketplace coverage in West Virginia?
Two companies provide 2023 individual and family plans through West Virginia’s exchange:9
- CareSource West Virginia Co.
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia
Are Marketplace health insurance premiums increasing in West Virginia?
West Virginia’s individual market insurers have proposed the following average rate increases for 2024:10
West Virginia’s ACA Marketplace Plan 2024 Approved Rate Increases by Insurance Company |
|
---|---|
Issuer | Percent Increase |
CareSource West Virginia Co. | 1.13% |
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield West Virginia | 2.10% |
Source: HealthCare.gov10
Rate changes apply to full-price premiums. Since about 96% of eligible people using the West Virginia exchange receive premium tax credits, they don’t pay the full premium amount.6
If you qualify for subsidies, your actual rate change will depend on your plan and the subsidy amounts. Your age can affect your premium too.
If the cost of your current plan increases, you can explore other health plans in the exchange that may be more affordable and offer similar benefits.
How many people are insured through West Virginia’s Marketplace?
West Virginia’s 2023 open enrollment period marked the highest since 2017, with 28,325 individuals signing up for private plans.6
This rise in enrollment can be attributed to the American Rescue Plan (ARP). ARP has led to more substantial and widespread premium subsidies for ACA plans. The Inflation Reduction Act has extended the ARP has been through 2025.
Source: 2014,11 2015,12 2016,13 2017,14 2018,15 2019,16 2020,17 2021,18 2022,19 2023,6 202420
What health insurance resources are available to West Virginia residents?
HealthCare.gov
This is the ACA Marketplace, where you can enroll in a health insurance plan online. You may also get help by calling (800) 318-2596.
West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner
Oversees and regulates insurance companies, brokers, and agents in the state while assisting consumers with insurance-related inquiries and concerns.
West Virginia Navigator
A free, non-profit program accessible to all residents within the state, providing free enrollment assistance.
West Virginia Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Helps answer questions and help Medicare beneficiaries.
Louise Norris is an individual health insurance broker who has been writing about health insurance and health reform since 2006. She has written dozens of opinions and educational pieces about the Affordable Care Act for healthinsurance.org.
Footnotes
- “April 2023 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data Highlights” Medicaid.gov ⤶
- “Medicare Monthly Enrollment” CMS.gov, April 2023 ⤶
- “When can you get health insurance?” HealthCare.gov, 2023 ⤶
- “Temporary Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Consumers Losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Coverage Due to Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” CMS.gov, Jan. 27, 2023 ⤶
- “Find Local Help” localhelp.HealthCare.gov, Accessed September 2023 ⤶
- “2023 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, March 2023 ⤶ ⤶ ⤶ ⤶ ⤶
- “Federal Poverty Level (FPL)” HealthCare.gov, 2023 ⤶
- “2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, March 2024 ⤶
- ”Consumer Insurance Information” West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, 2023 ⤶
- ”West Virginia Rate Review Submissions” HealthCare.gov, 2023 ⤶ ⤶
- “ASPE Issue Brief (2014)” ASPE, 2015 ⤶
- “Health Insurance Marketplaces 2015 Open Enrollment Period: March Enrollment Report”, HHS.gov, 2015 ⤶
- “HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACES 2016 OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD: FINAL ENROLLMENT REPORT” HHS.gov, 2016 ⤶
- “2017 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2017 ⤶
- “2018 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2018 ⤶
- “2019 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2019 ⤶
- “2020 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2020 ⤶
- “2021 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2021 ⤶
- “2022 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period Public Use Files” CMS.gov, 2022 ⤶
- “HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACES 2024 OPEN ENROLLMENT REPORT” CMS.gov, 2024 ⤶