How many people are enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans in Washington state?
Refreshed annually
About 290K in 2026 (based on numbers from open enrollment period, which typically runs from early November to mid-January of the next year). That’s roughly 1 in 27 people, or about 3.6% of Washington state’s population. Washington state enrolls less residents than average: enrollment nationally averaged about 6.8%, and Washington state ranked 41st among all states and Washington, DC.
290K
enrolled in qualified health plans (2026)
3.6%
of the states population enrolled in qualified health plans (2026)
In 2015, 2.3% of Washington state residents were enrolled in a qualified health plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often called "Obamacare," both inside and outside of government. Enrollment rose to 2.8% in 2016; by the 2022 plan year, the first open enrollment period after the temporary expansion of ACA tax credits, it went up to 3.1%. The largest year-over-year increase occurred between 2015 and 2016, when enrollment grew by 0.5 percentage points, before peaking in 2025 at 3.9%.
In 2026, the share of Washington state's population enrolled in an ACA health plan was 3.1 percentage points lower than the national average.
Estimated share of the population enrolled in qualified health plans, by year
How many ACA enrollees in Washington state are new to the marketplace?
Enrollment changes reflect both new people buying ACA insurance for the first time and returning customers re-enrolling. In Washington state, re-enrollees made up a larger share of enrollment than new consumers starting in 2015 — a trend that continued through 2026. In 2026, re-enrollees accounted for 82.2% of enrollment, while new consumers made up 17.8%.
In 2026, 82.2% of ACA enrollees in Washington state were returning consumers, while 17.8% were new to the marketplace.
Share of qualified health plan enrollment in Washington state by new consumers and re-enrollees, 2015–2026
How many enrollees in Washington state receive ACA financial assistance?
There are several mechanisms that can lower the costs of ACA plans. Eligible individuals can apply for an Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) to reduce their monthly premiums; at year's end, their actual income determines whether they must repay excess credit or receive additional funds. There are also cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles, copayments, out-of-pocket maximums, and coinsurance.
In Washington state, 64.7% of the people enrolled in qualified health plans received an APTC and/or cost-sharing reduction in 2026, 22.1 percentage points less than the national rate of 86.7%.
In 2026, 64.7% of ACA enrollees in Washington state received financial assistance.
Percentage of people enrolled in qualified health plans receiving APTC and/or CSRs, 2026
What is the average APTC in Washington state?
The average APTC in Washington state was $612, lower than the national average of $650 by $38, a 5.8% difference.
In 2026, Washington state's average APTC was 5.8% lower than the national average.
Average APTC among consumers receiving APTC, 2026
How much do APTCs reduce monthly premium costs in Washington state?
APTCs lowered the average 2026 premium in Washington state from $738 to $343, a reduction of $395, or roughly 53.5%.
In Washington state, 2026 APTCs reduced the statewide average premium from $738 to $343.
Average premium and average premium after APTC in Washington state, 2026
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.