Deadline to apply for January 1, 2018: December 15. For rates, plans and how to apply, visit ​the Washington Dentists Insurance Agency (WDIA) website.

This year’s Individual Medical Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) will bring changes to most people who currently have individual coverage including carrier availability, narrowing of provider networks and rate increases. Do not delay in starting your research for what carriers are available and if your providers are part of the network. This year, no carriers will offer a broad PPO network (Preferred Provider network) for individual plans. Carriers now offer either EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization) or HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) networks. In addition, carriers no longer cover out-of-network providers (meaning that if you see a doctor that is not in your network, you will pay the full cost of your care). 

This OEP, many people who have purchased their individual coverage directly from a carrier in previous years will need to use the Exchange to purchase their insurance. Please visit the WDIA website for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for coverage on the Exchange. 

Lastly, consider a small group medical plan for your office as an alternative to individual medical coverage: it is a great employee benefit and offers more stability in plans and provider networks than the current individual market. A group medical plan can have one or more members. For a one member group, the member must be an employee, it cannot be the business owner or their spouse. Obtain a group medical quote from WDIA.

Washington Dentists' Insurance Agency (WDIA), wholly owned by the WSDA, helps dentists simplify the process of selecting the right insurance at a reasonable price and is the only insurance agency that is specifically geared to meet the needs of Washington dentists, their families, and their staff. Have an insurance question? Call WDIA at (800) 282-9342.