Medicare Plans in Washington

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Washington?

To enroll in Original Medicare, do one of the following:

  • Submit an online application.
  • Apply in person at a Social Security office.
  • Call 800-772-1213 to speak with a Social Security employee.

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

What Washington Medicare Plans Are Available?

The Medicare program provides invaluable assistance to those that are able to utilize it. While the program is highly effective, it is also somewhat complex. Understanding the ins and outs of Medicare in Washington state can help you figure out which portion of the program is applicable for your circumstances.

Medicare offers several key components as part of the larger program construct. They are labeled as "parts." 

Part A

Part A of the Medicare program is the original element of the larger plan and generally covers active, inpatient care.  This includes care provided to patients in a hospital, surgical center, skilled nursing facility or hospice. It also covers home health care and some of the cost of lab work. 

There are no premiums associated with Part A for those who paid into the Medicare system through payroll taxes for enough years. Those that did not pay into the system may be able to purchase it as a standalone plan. 

Part B

Part B is more like traditional medical insurance in that enrollees pay a monthly premium, which is largely based on personal income. This portion of the program covers primary care visits, specialist visits, preventative care, some home health care and some types of medical equipment. 

Enrollees must sign up when eligible or face a penalty of 10% for every 12 months that passes without doing so. Exceptions include those who had coverage, either through their own policy or a spouse's, that suddenly ended. 

Part C/Advantage

Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage Plan. This is a replacement for Parts A and B, not in addition to those parts. Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private companies. This means that the coverage spread is different; for instance, Medicare Advantage plans often cover vision and dental as well, whereas Parts A and B do not. 

Medicare Advantage plans may be administered through a health maintenance organization (HMO) or preferred provider organization (PPO), and they sometimes can come in other types as well. These are the constructs to which those who have had employer-sponsored coverage are most accustomed. Medical savings accounts (MSAs) are also available through some Medicare Advantage plans. 

Part D

Part D of the Medicare program is the prescription drug benefit. Similar to Part B, there is a monthly premium attached to this coverage. Penalties are also levied for late enrollment in this program, barring the same exceptions as those mentioned for Part B coverage. 

All of the plans provided via Part D are from private entities. 

Medigap

Medigap is also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance and may provide coverage that fills in any gaps left by Parts A and B coverage. This includes helping pay for out-of-pocket Medicare costs such as Medicare coinsurance or even in-office copays. Enrollment in Parts A and B is required to be eligible for Medigap. 

There are 20 companies offering Medigap coverage in Washington state, with two offering options for those under the age of 65. The state has stringent consumer protections for Medigap enrollees, such as preventing companies from implementing lengthy waiting periods based on pre-existing conditions. 

Washington has also instituted community ratings that let consumers know more about the companies they choose within this program.

Who Is Eligible for Washington Medicare?

Citizens aged 65 and older are automatically eligible for Medicare coverage, as long as they have paid long enough into the system via payroll taxes. However, age is not the only factor for enrollment. The program also covers some younger individuals with disabilities and/or chronic/terminal conditions. These determinations are made by the Social Security Administration. 

Social Security Administration beneficiaries are automatically enrolled as part of their larger benefits package roughly 4 months before their 65th birthdays. 

How Do I Enroll in Medicare in Washington?

The enrollment period for new signups is the period that starts 3 months before the individual turns 65 and extends 3 months after their birthday. While enrollment is allowable outside of this period, enrollees may have to pay a penalty based on their personal circumstances. 

General enrollment for Parts A and B runs from January 1 through March 31, with coverage starting July 1. Special enrollment periods are available as well. Traditional Medicare enrollees can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan when a five-star plan becomes available. This special enrollment option can only be used one time between December 8 and November 30. 

Medicare also has a fall enrollment period from October 15 to December 7, with a coverage start date of January 1. Those who suddenly lost employer-sponsored healthcare may also take advantage of special enrollment options. 

Enrollees can sign up via the Social Security Administration's website at www.SocialSecurity.gov. Enrollees can also sign up via phone by calling (800) 772-1213 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. or visiting a local Social Security office for in-person assistance. 

HelpAdvisor Editorial Team analysis of data from the 2024 MA Landscape Source Files and carrier-provided plan data supplied by SunFire, Inc., a private company that creates software solutions for agents and brokers to compare Medicare plans. For more information, visit www.sunfireinc.com.

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Average Monthly Premium $56.07
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit $6,742.78
Average drug deductible in 2024 (weighted) $298.88
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher 39.6%
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Average Monthly Premium
$56.07
Average in-network out-of-pocket spending limit
$6,742.78
Average drug deductible in 2021 (weighted)
$298.88
Percentage of plans rated 4 stars or higher
39.6%

Washington Medicare Advantage Plans by County

The chart below provides more information about Medicare Advantage plan costs and enrollment in Washington by county in 2024.

Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
County Average Premium Average Annual Drug Deductible % of Plans Rates 4 Stars or Higher # of Plans Available
Clark $51 $308 45.0% 40
Lewis $70 $280 41.5% 41
Kitsap $63 $271 43.2% 44
King $63 $271 45.8% 48
Pierce $68 $278 44.7% 47
Thurston $62 $267 43.5% 46
Snohomish $63 $287 44.9% 49
Grant $46 $282 0.0% 17
Douglas $53 $175 8.3% 12
Okanogan $53 $175 0.0% 9
Chelan $53 $175 0.0% 9
Cowlitz $55 $298 50.0% 34
Whatcom $51 $291 58.3% 24
Skagit $52 $235 57.6% 33
Mason $79 $341 33.3% 30
Yakima $36 $303 33.3% 30
Adams $27 $309 0.0% 12
Spokane $44 $311 43.6% 39
Franklin $36 $320 50.0% 32
Walla Walla $37 $300 50.0% 28
Benton $37 $320 53.3% 30
Ferry $27 $309 0.0% 12
Stevens $27 $277 6.7% 15
Jefferson $73 $545 46.2% 13
Lincoln $73 $545 46.2% 13
Garfield $85 $545 50.0% 12
Umatilla $85 $545 50.0% 12
Columbia $73 $545 46.2% 13
Pend Oreille $85 $545 45.5% 11
Wahkiakum $86 $545 40.0% 15
Island $56 $338 45.0% 20
San Juan $33 $0 25.0% 8
Pacific $33 $0 14.3% 7
Whitman $33 $0 16.7% 6
Benewah $32 $100 10.0% 10
Kittitas $92 $433 45.5% 11
Asotin $33 $0 16.7% 6
Grays Harbor $32 $0 0.0% 4
Klickitat $33 $0 0.0% 3

Contact Information for Washington Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance Help

To learn more about Medicare, Medicaid and insurance options in Washington state, visit the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's website at https://www.insurance.wa.gov/learn-how-medicare-works.

The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) resource is another option to learn more about the plans available for consumers. This group also provides unbiased advice about plan choices and advocates that can assist with sign-up or claims. To reach a SHIBA representative, consumers can call (800) 562-6900.