What Producers Need to Know About Our 2027 Individual Market Updates
Our 2027 individual and family plans and rate filings are now public, which means we can share what’s coming next year. To explore all carrier filings, visit the OIC announcement.
Here’s an early look at what to expect in 2027.
Shorter enrollment
Washington’s open enrollment period will be shorter for the 2027 plan year, ending December 31. All plans selected during open enrollment will take effect January 1, removing the option for a February 1 start date.
Counties
LifeWise will expand its Cascade Select plan availability to Snohomish County in 2027, increasing access in one of Washington’s largest population centers.
At the same time, LifeWise will discontinue all plan offerings in King County as we look at potential future solutions to strengthen our position in this highly competitive market.
Plans
Beginning in 2027, LifeWise will no longer offer grandfathered plans. The Essential Silver plan will also be discontinued. Enrollment has been low since the state’s rate stabilization efforts and silver‑loading led to lower‑cost Gold plans.
Rates
The state has announced an average 21.3% rate increase for LifeWise Essential, Cascade, and Cascade Select metallic plans. Expect to see some adjustments to our rates when they’re approved by the OIC in early September.
Network
Cascade Select will continue to use the LifeWise Alpine network, which includes more than 55,000 providers, such as Kinwell, Providence, Swedish, MultiCare, PeaceHealth, and Confluence. This remains one of the largest Cascade Select networks in the market and will now be available in Snohomish County.
Members enrolled in Essential and Cascade plans will continue to access the LifeWise Primary network, which includes more than 30,000 providers, including Kinwell, Providence, Swedish, PeaceHealth, and Confluence.
Commission
The four-tier compensation structure will remain in place for 2027, with updates to tiers 2 and 3. Tier placement will continue to be based on the number of individual lives at the agency level.
Tier
Qualification
Commission
Tier 1+
100+ Individual lives and 70%+ REL
$21 pmpm
Tier 1
100+ Individual lives
$20 pmpm
Tier 2
50-99 Individual lives
$15 pmpm
Tier 3
<50 Individual lives
$10 pmpm
Planning timeline
Key milestones for the upcoming cycle include:
Early June
OIC makes initial carrier filings public
July-September
Virtual and in-person visits with agent support
Early September
OIC approves final rates and plans for all carriers
Late September
2027 product training available
November 1
Open enrollment begins