HCA releases RFP for public option procurement under Cascade Care

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HCA releases RFP for public option procurement under Cascade Care

On Monday, February 28, the Health Care Authority (HCA) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cascade Care Public Option Plans. The RFP is on Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), and the Notice of Competitive Solicitation is available on HCA’s Bids and contracts page. To receive updates, amendments, or further notifications automatically, please register for WEBS.

Who is eligible to apply and when?

To be eligible, bidders must meet the requirements identified in RFP Section 1.12. Upcoming deadlines include:

  • A Pre-Solicitation Conference is scheduled to occur March 9, 2022, at 2 p.m.
  • Bidders must contact the RFP Coordinator to receive a meeting attendance link by March 8, 2022.
  • The first application deadline for bidders, which includes the letter of intent to apply, is Thursday, April 7, 2022, at 2 p.m.

See the Notice of Competitive Solicitation for additional deadlines.

HCA will announce apparent successful bidder(s) by the end of June 2022. Please note HCA reserves the right in its sole discretion to revise scheduled activities at any time. Changes to scheduled activities will be communicated in writing via an RFP Amendment.

More on Cascade Care

HCA, in partnership with the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) and Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), implemented Cascade Care’s public option plans, also known as Cascade Select, as directed in Senate Bill 5526 (laws of 2019) and Senate Bill 5377 (laws of 2021). The goal of Cascade Care is to increase the availability of quality, affordable health coverage in the individual market.

Cascade Care aims to provide affordable health insurance coverage options for Washington Healthplanfinder customers. Through Washington Healthplanfinder, customers have a variety of plan choices, including Cascade Select plans under Cascade Care. Cascade Select plans became available in Washington State in 2021.

HCA is responsible for procuring the Cascade Select plans offered under Cascade Care. Cascade Select plans must also meet additional quality, value, and affordability standards, which are outlined in the RFP. Cascade Select coverage through this procurement will begin January 2023.

More information