Webinars:
WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know webinar from 11 a.m.- noon on June 11. We will cover what long-term care includes, how caregiving responsibilities impact families and the workplace, who contributes to the fund, how exemptions work, contribution requirements and more. Register today.
WA Cares Basics: What Employers Need to Know webinar from noon – 1 p.m. on July 9. Hear the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program and learn more about employer responsibilities. We’ll cover who contributes to the fund, who can get an exemption, how workers will meet contribution requirements, tracking employee exemptions, employer reporting requirements and what kinds of benefits will be available. Register today.
WA Cares Basics: What Providers Need to Know webinar from 11 a.m. – noon on August 5.
Before benefits begin in July 2026, the WA Cares Fund will work to register a diverse range of qualified providers for each covered service. To ensure quality care, providers must meet minimum qualifications to participate. Once registered, beneficiaries can choose from these providers — empowering them to select the services that best meet their needs within their own communities.
We will cover how the program works, types of providers that will be able to register, minimum qualifications and requirements providers will have to meet and how to register as a qualified provider. Register today.
Find recordings of more past webinars and learn more about upcoming webinars on our website.
Featured video:
We’re hiring! Interested in joining our team or know someone else who could be a good fit? Take a look at our open positions and share with your networks or learn more about working at WA Cares.
Fund Fact: Last month, Gov. Ferguson signed a new law expanding Washingtonians’ options for accessing long-term care support through the WA Cares Fund.
The law creates opportunities for Washingtonians to purchase affordable supplemental long-term care coverage from private insurers in the future, allows workers who have a private insurance exemption to join the program by 2028 and simplifies the ten-year contribution requirement to qualify for benefits.
“These changes will allow more Washingtonians to access WA Cares benefits and pave the way for insurers to offer affordable options to workers who want additional coverage,” said WA Cares Director Ben Veghte. “When a family has a long-term care need it can undermine their financial security. As our population ages, there’s a growing need for resources like WA Cares that make families more resilient when a loved one needs care.”
Monthly FAQ: Are insurers able to offer supplemental long-term care coverage?
A new law passed this month creates new standards for private supplemental long-term care insurance policies designed to work alongside WA Cares. Public insurance provides a foundation of financial security for everyone, and private options are available for those who want more coverage.
Because WA Cares benefits will cover the deductible, insurers would be able to offer supplemental plans that are much more affordable – increasing access to long-term care coverage for Washingtonians.
The new supplemental policies will include additional consumer protection. They must allow people to keep their current care providers when transitioning between programs, include options to reduce benefits rather than lose coverage if someone becomes unable to pay increased premiums, and cover care provided by qualified family members.
The next step is for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to develop rules around these policies, which they must complete by May 1, 2026. Private insurers may file long-term care insurance policies with OIC in the spring of 2026 and policies could be available for purchase in the summer of 2026.
LTSS Trust Commission:
The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission, which works on behalf of Washington employees and long-term care stakeholders to improve, monitor and implement WA Cares, will hold an Investment Strategy Subcommittee meeting from 1-2:30 p.m. on June 25.
Find meeting details and learn more about the Commission.
Rulemaking:
The DSHS WA Cares Fund policy team is initiating rulemaking activities for implementing a new chapter of Washington Administrative Code related to the WA Cares Fund program.
Find recordings of past meetings and learn more about rulemaking. If you are interested in receiving notifications for rulemaking activities or joining rulemaking stakeholder meetings, please update your e-mail preferences.
Request a speaker:
Interested in an in-person or virtual presentation on WA Cares for your staff, HR professionals, managers, professional/community organization, or other group in 2025? Fill out our speaker request form and we will get back to you with our staff’s availability.