The Washington State Health Care Authority
The Washington State Health Care Authority is a Washington State government agency that administers Apple Health (Medicaid), behavioral health services, and the PEBB and SEBB public employee benefits programs, serving as the largest healthcare purchaser in the state.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1889
- HeadquartersOlympia, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Washington State Health Care Authority does
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) is a Washington State government agency headquartered in Olympia, Washington, established to administer the state's Medicaid program (Apple Health), behavioral health services, and public employee benefits. HCA serves as the largest healthcare purchaser in Washington state, administering Apple Health coverage for low-income residents through multiple sub-programs (Apple Health Expansion, Apple Health Medicare Connect, Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities, COFA Islander programs, Family Planning Only, Medically Intensive Children's Program, and Medicare Savings Program) delivered via contracted managed care organizations and fee-for-service arrangements. HCA also administers the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) programs, providing medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage to public and school employees, retirees, and dependents, including the self-insured Uniform Medical Plan (UMP).
HCA's operational backbone is the ProviderOne web platform for provider enrollment, claims processing, prior authorizations, and billing, complemented by Washington Healthplanfinder as the public-facing enrollment marketplace and the Apple Health Behavioral Health Dashboard for utilization monitoring. The agency's technology stack is administrative and rules-based; no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed in available data. HCA coordinates with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Washington Connection, SecureAccess Washington, and Washington Relay to deliver eligibility, long-term services, and accessibility functions across a single-state footprint. Behavioral health programs span crisis lines, acute mental health care, substance use disorder treatment (including MOUD), youth and young adult services, recovery housing, and prevention initiatives, with 23 crisis relief centers funded since 2023 and a Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) rental assistance pilot running through 2028.
HCA's revenue model is government-sourced and non-commercial: state legislative appropriations, federal Medicaid matching funds from CMS, federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding ($181 million secured for FY2026), and employer/employee premium contributions for PEBB/SEBB. Coverage is provided free or at low cost to eligible individuals based on income. The agency employs 501-1000 staff and operates as a regulatory monopoly with no private competitors legally permitted to administer these state and federally delegated programs. Distribution occurs through online self-serve portals (Healthplanfinder, ProviderOne), contracted managed care plans, fee-for-service provider arrangements, county-level partnerships (e.g., King County's Kirkland crisis center), and vendor relationships including Navia Benefit Solutions (subject to a January 2026 data breach affecting approximately 2.69 million individuals).
The Washington State Health Care Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Washington State Health Care Authority
- Legal name
- Washington State Health Care Authority
- Website
- https://hca.wa.gov
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1889
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The Washington State Health Care Authority is a Washington State government agency that administers Apple Health (Medicaid), behavioral health services, and the PEBB and SEBB public employee benefits programs, serving as the largest healthcare purchaser in the state.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Washington State Health Care Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Healthcare Administration
- NAICS
- Administration of Public Health Programs (92312), Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers (524114), Pharmacy Benefit Management and Other Third Party Administration of Insurance and Pension Funds (524292)
- SIC
- Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324), Accident & Health Insurance (6321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage) (BPAIAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Eligibility, Enrollment & Benefits Administration (HLAEALAH), Public Health Program Administration & Operations (HLAJAMAB), Utilization Management (Prior Auth/Medical Necessity) Administration (HLAEALAF)
Keywords
Where The Washington State Health Care Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Olympia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Washington State Health Care Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Medicaid Federal Matching Funds: HCA receives federal Medicaid matching funds through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Apple Health coverage of eligible low-income individuals and families.
- Rural Health Transformation Program Funding: Federal rural health transformation funding under H.R. 1, with Washington receiving $181 million in fiscal year 2026 for rural healthcare services.
- State Appropriated Funds: Annual state legislative appropriations including $19.3 million allocated for mental health crisis center funding.
- Public Employee Benefits Administration: HCA administers PEBB and SEBB benefits programs for public and school employees, funded through employer and employee premium contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Others | Apple Health (Medicaid) - Free or Low-Cost Coverage |
| Subscription | Monthly | PEBB/SEBB Public Employee Plans |
| Subscription | Others | Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Initiative |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Washington State Health Care Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) administers Washington State's Medicaid program (Apple Health) providing free or low-cost medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health coverage to eligible residents. It also administers the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) health benefits programs for state and school employees, retirees, and dependents, and operates the Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) and Cascade Select public option plan.
Product overview
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) operates as a platform-plus-programs organization offering three interconnected product lines: (1) Apple Health (Medicaid), Washington State's Medicaid program providing free or low-cost health coverage through multiple sub-programs including Apple Health Expansion, Apple Health Medicare Connect, Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities, COFA Islander Programs, Family Planning Only, and Medically Intensive Children's Program; (2) Behavioral Health Services covering mental health, substance use disorder treatment, youth and young adult services, and recovery support; and (3) Employee and Retiree Benefits Administration through the PEBB and SEBB Programs, offering medical, dental, vision, and related benefits to public and school employees, with Uniform Medical Plan as a key health plan option. Supporting infrastructure includes the ProviderOne platform for provider enrollment, claims, and billing, with various continuation coverage options for members transitioning between coverage states.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PEBB (Public Employees Benefits Board): Program providing health benefits and insurance to public employees in Washington State
- SEBB (School Employees Benefits Board)
- Uniform Medical Plan (UMP)
- Cascade Select
- Washington Recovery Help Line
Products and services
- Apple Health (Medicaid)
Quantifiable outcome
- 23-hour crisis relief centers funded for mental health services
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Washington State Health Care Authority
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Washington State Health Care Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
The Washington State Health Care Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Mysti's Adult and Family ServicescoreMysti's Adult and Family Services is administering a statewide rental assistance program as part of Washington's Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) initiative. The pilot program, running through 2028, tests whether addressing housing needs improves health outcomes for high-need populations connected to Medicaid.
- Navia Benefit SolutionsminorNavia Benefit Solutions serves as a benefits administrator for Washington state employees, providing employee benefits management. HCA was among clients affected by a data breach discovered in January 2026 impacting approximately 2.69 million individuals.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Washington State Health Care Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Centene Corporation: America's largest Medicaid managed care organization and contracted partner to state Medicaid agencies including HCA. While not a direct state-government peer, Centene is the most relevant private-sector counterparty that scales the same populations HCA serves, making it useful for benchmarking purchasing and operational benchmarks.
Direct peers
- New York State Department of Health: Administers New York's Medicaid program and Office of Health Insurance Programs. Comparable to HCA because both operate integrated state health purchasing, public employee health benefits, and run their own managed care models for low-income populations.
- Oregon Health Authority: Administers the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) and coordinates behavioral health. Closest geographic and policy peer to Washington HCA, with very similar coordinated-care organization (CCO) model and rural health priorities.
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Administers Pennsylvania's Medicaid (Medical Assistance) program and Office of Long-Term Living. Comparable to HCA in operating Medicaid managed care, behavioral health, and integrated eligibility for low-income populations.
- Ohio Department of Medicaid: Ohio's single-purpose state Medicaid agency administering managed care and fee-for-service Medicaid. Direct peer to HCA in operating managed care plans, eligibility systems, and provider enrollment infrastructure.
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration: Florida's state agency responsible for administering Medicaid and managing the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program. Direct peer in administering Medicaid managed care contracts and a state health plan option.
- California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS): California's state Medicaid agency administering Medi-Cal, the largest Medicaid program in the U.S. Most directly comparable state-level peer to HCA given its scale, scope (Medicaid + behavioral health + eligibility systems), and exclusive state authority to administer means-tested health coverage.
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing: Administers Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus. Comparable to HCA as a single state agency combining Medicaid administration with public employee and other coverage programs.
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services: Administers MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) and integrated state health programs. Comparable to HCA in operating a large state Medicaid program with managed care, behavioral health, and value-based purchasing priorities.
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Texas's combined health and human services agency administering Medicaid, CHIP, and behavioral health. Comparable to HCA in administering large-scale state health programs under a single authority with exclusive state powers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Washington State Health Care Authority social profiles
Digital presenceThe Washington State Health Care Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Washington State Health Care Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Washington State Health Care Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Washington State Health Care Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Washington State Health Care Authority
What does The Washington State Health Care Authority do?
The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) administers Washington State's Medicaid program (Apple Health) providing free or low-cost medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health coverage to eligible residents. It also administers the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) health benefits programs for state and school employees, retirees, and dependents, and operates the Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) and Cascade Select public option plan.
Is The Washington State Health Care Authority a public or private company?
The Washington State Health Care Authority is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The Washington State Health Care Authority founded?
The Washington State Health Care Authority was founded in 1889. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is The Washington State Health Care Authority based?
The Washington State Health Care Authority is headquartered in Olympia, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Washington State Health Care Authority make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Medicaid Federal Matching Funds are the primary driver. The others are rural Health Transformation Program Funding, state Appropriated Funds and public Employee Benefits Administration.
Who are The Washington State Health Care Authority's main competitors?
Centene Corporation is listed as an others. Direct peers are New York State Department of Health, Oregon Health Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Ohio Department of Medicaid, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Does The Washington State Health Care Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Washington State Health Care Authority.
What industry is The Washington State Health Care Authority in?
The Washington State Health Care Authority's product category is Government Healthcare Administration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAKAH, Healthcare-Linked Social Benefits Administration (e.g., Medicaid/Means-Tested Health Coverage), with a secondary code of HLAEALAH, Eligibility, Enrollment & Benefits Administration. Its NAICS code is 92312 and its SIC code is 6324.