OLYMPIA — People who buy health insurance through Washington’s exchange have until Dec. 15 to pick a plan to ensure coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

Everybody who buys individual insurance and shops through the state exchange should review their plan options during the open enrollment period, said Ben Spradling, public information officer for Washington Healthplanfinder. Even people who like their plans and want to keep them should review the coverage, he commented. “Plans and rates change every year.”

Plans are rated as gold, silver and bronze, depending on the benefits and cost. Spradling cited silver-level plans as an example. Premiums for silver plans went up by about 26 percent, but many people who qualify for silver plans also qualify for tax credits that may help offset the premium increase.

In addition, personal situations also change, Spradling said, and that might make a difference in health insurance coverage.

The process of choosing a plan requires a lot of information, and people should come prepared. Information needed includes residence, household income for all people who will be covered in the plan, and all Social Security numbers. Applicants should have a list of prescriptions, an estimated number of health care visits for all people covered by the insurance, any preferred providers and preferred healthcare facilities.

The state has a new computer program called “Smart Planfinder” to help people once they’ve entered all the information, Spradling said. “It tailors the list of choices based on your specific needs,” he added.

The website has been updated to make it more user-friendly, he said, and is now easier to use on mobile devices, like tablets and phones. The state developed an app, WAplanfinder, to help people identify health plan finder resources locally and regionally.

Local health organizations also have people on staff to help prospective customers in person. “Navigators” are available at Moses Lake Community Health and Quincy Community Health, Columbia Basin Health Associates in Othello, Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, Quincy Valley Medical Center and Confluence Health-Moses Lake Clinic. At all sites help is available in English and Spanish.

The Healthplanfinder website also has a customer support line, available from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays. Currently it’s not available Sundays, although that may change as the deadline approaches.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].