How to renew your Washington Medicaid coverage

Last verified: June 2026

Renewal notices come from Apple Health (Washington Medicaid)

Always respond to official renewal notices from Apple Health (Washington Medicaid). Missing a renewal deadline is the most common reason people lose Medicaid coverage — even when they're still eligible.

Apple Health renews annually — update your contact information in Washington Healthplanfinder to receive notices

HCA sends Apple Health renewal notices through Washington Healthplanfinder (wahealthplanfinder.org). Members who have not logged in or updated their contact information may miss renewal notices and have coverage terminated. Log in at wahealthplanfinder.org to view your renewal date and update your information at any time.

How Washington renews Apple Health coverage

Washington HCA renews Apple Health eligibility once per year through a redetermination process. For most members, HCA first attempts an ex parte renewal — using electronic data from the SSA, IRS, and Washington state wage records to verify eligibility without requiring the member to take action. If the ex parte check confirms eligibility, coverage is renewed automatically.

When electronic data is insufficient or inconclusive, HCA sends a renewal notice through Washington Healthplanfinder and by mail. Members must respond within the stated deadline — typically 30 days — or risk termination. Termination is not permanent; members can reapply through Healthplanfinder at any time.

How to complete your Apple Health renewal

1

Log in to Washington Healthplanfinder

Visit wahealthplanfinder.org to check your renewal status and date. You will receive a notification when a renewal action is needed. Paper notices are also mailed to the address on file.
2

Update your household information

Confirm or update your address, income, household members, and contact information. Inaccurate information can trigger a manual review or termination.
3

Provide documentation if requested

If HCA cannot verify income electronically, you may be asked to upload documents — pay stubs, a letter from your employer, tax records, or a signed income attestation form.
4

Submit your renewal by the deadline

Online submission through Healthplanfinder is the fastest option. You can also call 1-855-923-4633 or visit a DSHS Community Services Office to submit by phone or in person.
5

Confirm approval and check your plan

After renewal, verify that your Apple Health managed care plan is still correct. If your plan has changed, Healthplanfinder will show your new plan information.

Documents you may need for Apple Health renewal

Recent pay stubs (one or two months)
Self-employment income documentation or tax return
Social Security or SSI award letter
Proof of Washington residency (utility bill, lease, DSHS mail)
Updated household size information (births, new household members)

Your rights if Apple Health coverage is terminated

Washington must give advance notice before terminating Apple Health coverage. If you receive a termination notice and believe you still qualify, you have the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days. If you request the hearing before the termination date, your coverage must remain in place while the hearing is pending (this is called "aid continuing").

Report income changes throughout the year — don't wait for renewal

If your income or household size changes significantly during the year, report it through Healthplanfinder promptly. Washington uses these updates to determine whether you still qualify for Apple Health or should transition to a subsidized private plan — earlier reporting avoids a larger eligibility discrepancy at annual renewal.

Post-pandemic coverage losses: the 2023–2024 unwinding

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (March 2020 through March 2023), federal law prohibited states from removing people from Medicaid. When that protection ended, states conducted a mass redetermination of all enrolled members — known as the "unwinding." Millions of people lost coverage nationally between April 2023 and late 2024, many due to administrative reasons like outdated addresses rather than actual ineligibility. If you lost Washington Medicaid during that period without receiving a renewal notice, you may still be eligible. Contact Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) to reapply.

How to complete your renewal

When Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) sends a renewal notice, here's what to do:

1

Read the notice carefully

Identify exactly what the agency is asking for and the deadline to respond. Renewal packets may ask you to confirm your current income, household size, or address.
2

Update your information

If anything has changed — income, address, phone number, household members — report it now. Outdated contact information is the leading cause of missed renewal notices.
3

Submit the renewal online, by phone, or by mail

Apple Health (Washington Medicaid)'s online portal is typically the fastest way to complete a renewal. You may also call the enrollment line or mail in your completed packet.
4

Confirm your coverage continued

After submitting, confirm you receive a notice that coverage was renewed. If you don't hear back within a few weeks, call Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) to verify your status.

If your renewal is denied

A denial must state the reason in writing and explain your right to appeal. You have 90 days from the date of the notice to request a fair hearing. File the appeal quickly — if you appeal before your coverage ends, you may be able to continue coverage during the appeal period, though this depends on timing and the reason for denial.

Common renewal denials include: income that increased above the threshold, failure to respond to the renewal packet, a change in household size that affects eligibility, or immigration status questions. Some of these can be addressed by reapplying with updated information rather than appealing.

Contact Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) within the 90-day window. A reconsideration or new application filed promptly can often restore coverage retroactively to the date it was lost.

Keeping your account information up to date

The most effective way to avoid renewal problems is to report changes promptly. Federal rules require Medicaid enrollees to report changes that may affect eligibility within a specified period — typically 10 to 30 days depending on the state.

Changes to report: new job or income change, move to a new address, change in household size (new baby, someone moves in or out), gaining or losing other health coverage. Contact Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) or update your information through the online portal at https://www.hca.wa.gov/health-care-services-supports/apple-health-medicaid-coverage.