Health insurance sign-ups close Monday in Washington

Monday is the deadline to sign up for individual health insurance coverage through Washington HealthPlanFinder.

Though most states and the federal health insurance exchange closed sign-ups on Dec. 15, Washington kept them open another month. Anyone signing up for insurance between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15 in Washington will have coverage beginning Feb. 1.

People can visit wahealthplanfinder.org to compare plans and sign up.

Outside of the open enrollment period, people can only enroll in an individual insurance plan under a narrow list of circumstances – typically, losing coverage from another source like a job or parents.

Medicaid, called Apple Health in Washington, is open for enrollment year-round to anyone who qualifies.

About 200,000 Washingtonians have signed up for coverage during open enrollment this season.