The Washington State Health Care Authority brings together the three largest purchasers of health care in state government – the Public Employees Benefits Board program, the Apple Health medical assistance program and the Community Behavioral Health program. The Public Employees Benefits Board program assures access to quality and affordable health care coverage for more than 350,000 public employees, retirees and others authorized by the Legislature; the Apple Health and Community Behavioral Health programs provide quality medical and behavioral health care with federal matching for more than 1.2 million low-income Washington residents. The Health Care Authority is a resource for both public and private health care, bending the cost curve to keep the state’s medical per-capita inflation rate below the national trend while maintaining administrative expenses around 3 percent of its annual budget. The Health Care Authority advises other employers on health care purchasing issues, strengthens health care policy formulation, and enhances the quality of health care delivery and primary care access in Washington state. Beginning in calendar year 2020, the Health Care Authority will administer the School Employees Benefits Board program, which will provide quality, cost-effective health care coverage for employees in Washington’s K-12 school districts, educational service districts and charter schools.

The Health Care Authority provides high-quality health care through innovative health policies and purchasing strategies.