Premium Assistance
​A significant number of Pierce, Yakima, and Kittitas County residents remain uninsured due to the high cost of premiums. Our Premium Assistance Program helps bridge this gap by covering the monthly premiums for silver-level Qualified Health Plans available through the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. We provide this support to residents of Pierce, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties who live at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Access with Impact
We understand that the cost of health insurance premiums can be a major burden for many individuals and families—and often the very reason people go without coverage.
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To address this barrier, we launched our Premium Assistance Program in 2015. Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors, we now sponsor health insurance premiums for more than 400 people across Pierce and Yakima County, making it possible for individuals and families to access the care they need and deserve.
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Expansion to Yakima County
Moved by the high number of uninsured residents in Yakima County, MultiCare Health recognized an urgent need for Premium Assistance to help more families access the health coverage they deserve.
Through our partnership with MultiCare, we expanded our program into Yakima County in 2024— making health insurance a reality for more than 150 individuals and counting.
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Eligibility Requirements
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Pierce, Yakima, or Kittitas County resident
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Household at or below 400% FPL
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Not offered an affordable option for healthcare (through an employer, Medicaid, Medicare, VA)​
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Enrolled in a silver-level plan on Washington Healthplanfinder
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Referred by a Navigator or partnered Broker
Referrals
If you are seeking sponsorship and meet our program requirements, please meet with a Navigator and enroll in a silver-level Qualified Health Plan on Washington Healthplanfinder.
Navigators, at no cost, will assist you in creating a Washington Healthplanfinder application. ​You can find a Navigator here.
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Ask your Navigator to send a referral to PCPA for Premium Assistance. If you are a referring Navigator, you may access our Referral Form here.
We will contact all applicants within 2 weeks of receiving the referral.
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FAQs
Do I need to see a Navigator?
Yes. We only accept applicants who are referred to us from a Navigator. You cannot apply directly to the program without a referral. We recommend making an appointment with a Navigator as soon as possible, as space is limited in our program. Find a Navigator here.
Does the Premium Assistance program sponsor dental plans?
No, we only sponsor silver-level health plans found on Washington Healthplanfinder. You may select a dental plan when you sign up for health insurance, however you will be responsible for the monthly premium cost.
What is considered "affordable" employer insurance?
We use the 10% rule. If the monthly cost of the plan offered to you by your employer is less than 10% of your monthly income, it is considered affordable and we cannot provide sponsorship.
Will the program sponsor multiple household members?
Yes. We can sponsor qualifying individuals within the same household, including a spouse or child.