Healthcare coverage for former foster youth

If you were in foster care in Washington and receiving Apple Health (Medicaid) at age 18 or on the date you aged out of foster care (up to 21 years old), you’re eligible for Apple Health coverage until age 26 under a special program. 

You must be a Washington resident and meet citizenship and immigration requirements to qualify for coverage as a former foster youth. There’s no income limit for this coverage.

If you age out of foster care in Washington, you don’t need to complete an application for the Former Foster Youth Program and its medical coverage. You’ll be automatically transitioned to the Former Foster Care program when you age out of foster care. 

If you already left foster care, you’re eligible for health coverage as a former foster youth. If you aged out of foster care in another state and you now live in Washington, you also qualify. 

To enroll, call the Foster Care Medical Team (FCMT) at 1-800-562-3022, ext. 15480.

You can ask to have your health coverage re-started (until you’re 26) if you lost it for any of these reasons:

• You left the state and have since returned.
• You requested a termination of your medical coverage.
• Your foster care case was closed because of a system error. 

If one of these situations applies to you and you need your health care coverage re-opened, contact the FCMT at 1-800-562-3022, ext. 15480.

There are important differences between coverage received as a child and coverage received as an adult. As an adult, coverage doesn’t cover every health service. Check the Apple Health client benefits booklets or talk to your doctor to find out if a specific service is covered. The coverage does still include many services like doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospitalizations.

No. The Extended Foster Care Program are services for foster youth who want them after they turn 18. These include services to help you transition to independence, such as independent living placements, case management, and other services.