Apple Health is going through a massive change because of the Big Beautiful Bill that was passed in 2025. Suzie and Matt have been lending a hand with free or low cost health insurance for years in Washington state.
Here are Apple Health changes that we will see first hand.
No longer eligible for Apple Health After September 30th, 2026
- Asylees
- Conditional entrants
- Refugees
- Individuals for who deportation or removal has been removed
- Victims of trafficking
- Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners
- Parolees, including:
- Individuals paroled as part of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2006
- Afghans granted humanitarian parole between July 31, 2021 and September 30, 2023
- Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole between February 24th, 2022 and September 30, 2024
Yes, over the last year the Federal Government has put into place restrictions on who is covered by Apple Health (Medicaid)
Starting October 1st, 2026, Apple health will be limited to:
- U.S. citizens and Nationals
- Lawful Permanent residents who have met or are exempt from the 5 year bar
- Compact of Free Association Islanders (COFA)
- Cuban-Haitian entrants
At Wenatchee Insurance, we do support Health and Dental Insurance regardless of Immigration status. We have have lent a hand assisting Immigrants gain health insurance for years and continue to assist with options.
January 2027 Changes to Apple Health
Yes, we will be looking at enhanced verifications in 2027, if you have an Apple Health plan as it comes up for renewal the changes will come into effect. Yes, the Healthcare Authority has shown that it will be thousands of people in our area impacted by the changes.
Starting January 1st, 2027 adults who qualify for Apple Health must meet work requirements. The exemptions are:
- Pregnant or in 12-month postpartum period
- Under 19
- Foster youth or former foster youth under 26
- American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and certain Tribal Populations
- Parent, caretaker, or guardian of a child under 14
- Household member of SNAP (food assistance) or TANF (cash assistance)
- Parent, caretaker, or guardian of an individual with a disablity
- Entitled to Medicare Part A or B
- Incarcerated or within 90 days post release period
- Medically Frail
- Alcohol or substance use disorder treatment (AUD/SUD)
- Disabled veteran with 100% total disablity
- In a short term hardship
To meet the work requirement you must:
- Have at least $580 in monthly income (or average $580 per month over a 6 month period)
- Enrolls in an Educational program at least half time
- Participates in at least 80 hours per month in a work program
- Participates in at least 80 hours per month in community service.
- or has a combination of 80 hours of work, community service or educational program per month average.
Yes, the verification is moving to twice a year in 2027. At Wenatchee Insurance, we assist in uploading documentation and lend a hand in understanding the enrollment. There will be at times that the client will have to call the Healthcare Authority directly for an eligibility determination or an activation of a WA Pathways policy.
At Wenatchee Insurance we have supported Apple Health without compensation since our beginning. If you have questions or need assistance then let us know and we will lend a hand.
