Cascade Select Open Enrollment 2026: 3 things to know

Open Enrollment is the annual period when individuals can sign up for, change, or cancel their health insurance plans for the upcoming year.

Navigating health insurance can feel overwhelming—especially when headlines are swirling, federal rules are shifting, and new plan options are entering the mix. We’re here to help you cut through the noise so you can feel confident about your choices for health coverage in 2026.

What’s new in 2026

Whether you’re already on an Individual & Family plan or choosing a plan through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (wahealthplanfinder.org) for the first time, here’s what stands out for this year’s Open Enrollment period.

New plan & new benefits/covered services

New lower-cost Gold-level plan called Vital Gold

The new Vital Gold plan joins the current Gold plan, which has been renamed Complete Gold. Along with the Silver and Bronze options, that means additional choices for 2026. For many shoppers, Vital Gold may be more affordable than Silver plans—due in part to subsidy calculation changes. If you’re currently on a Silver Plan, you may be able to save more by switching to Vital Gold.

For CHPW plan members

$0 copay for Virtual Urgent Care

Starting in 2026, CHPW Individual & Family Cascade Select plan members have $0 out-of-pocket costs for Urgent Care telehealth appointments scheduled through CHPW Virtual Care.
Plus, CHPW members can earn gift cards through the MemberFirst™ Rewards program for completing key preventive cancer screenings.

Key dates

Mark your calendar for these critical dates for choosing a plan:

October 21 – You can start browsing 2026 plans and preview your financial help eligibility at wahealthplanfinder.org.
November 1 – December 15, 2025: Open Enrollment period to make changes for January 1 coverage. For current members, you’ll be re-enrolled in the same or a better plan unless you make changes by Dec. 15.
December 16 – January 15, 2026: You can still enroll in a plan, but coverage starts February 1.
The Open Enrollment dates for 2026 are the same as in previous years but may change for Plan Year 2027 depending on federal and/or state policy updates.

Note: You have to make your first premium payment before your coverage takes effect. CHPW members: Your premium payment is due by the 23^rd of each month.

Federal changes

The enhanced federal premium tax credits that made Individual & Family plans more affordable in recent years are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts. Without them, most plans will see higher premiums in 2026.

Here’s an excerpt of a chart from the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (WAHBE) showing how critical federal enhanced tax credits are to keeping health insurance coverage affordable in Washington State:

Note: While enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire, premium tax credits are still available.

There is some good news: Cascade Care Savings —Washington’s state-funded subsidies—will still be available for Gold and Silver plans. These savings can help reduce your monthly premium.

Take charge of your coverage

Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make sure your health plan fits your needs for the year ahead. With these tips, we hope you’ll feel more confident in making the right coverage decisions.

Visit wahealthplanfinder.org starting Oct. 21—and take the first step toward a healthy 2026.

Learn more