Medicare in Washington: 2026 Plans, Costs, and Enrollment Guide

Washington Medicare Snapshot

Washington has one of the most consumer-protective Medicare markets in the country — 124 MA plans from 15 carriers covering 39 of 40 counties for 2026 (CMS CY2026 Landscape), plus year-round guaranteed-issue community-rated Medigap under RCW 48.66.045 and the state-administered WPDP prescription drug discount program. Washington's plan mix is balanced: 39 HMO, 34 PPO, 15 HMO-POS, 12 HMO D-SNP, and 8 HMO-POS D-SNP plans, reflecting Kaiser Permanente's strong integrated-delivery presence in western Washington alongside other carriers.

The average consolidated MA premium is $30.00/month (median $0.70). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026. On the supplement side, Washington is one of only six states (with CT, ME, MA, NY, VT) requiring year-round guaranteed-issue community-rated Medigap — one of the strongest consumer protections nationally.

Plan Types Available in Washington

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

In Washington, 124 MA plans are available for 2026 from 15 carriers (CMS CY2026 Landscape). Plan type mix: 39 HMO, 34 PPO, 15 HMO-POS, 12 HMO D-SNP (dual-eligible special needs), and 8 HMO-POS D-SNP. Kaiser Permanente's strong HMO presence is a defining feature of the western Washington market.

County availability ranges from 76 MA plans in Clark County (Vancouver, near Portland) to 14 plans in Asotin County (southeast corner). Top carriers by plan count: UnitedHealthcare (31 plans), Humana (26 plans), and Kaiser Permanente (20 plans).

Medigap (Medicare Supplement)

Washington's Medigap market is one of the most consumer-protective in the country. Under RCW 48.66.045, Medigap insurers must offer coverage on a community-rated, continuous guaranteed-issue basis — meaning the same premium for all enrollees in a plan regardless of age, gender, tobacco use, or health, available year-round without medical underwriting.

Fifteen carriers offer Plan G in Washington (TPP rate database, CY2026). Plan F is closed to new enrollees as of January 1, 2020 under MACRA / the 21st Century Cures Act; the same closure applies to High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) — only beneficiaries who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020 may still purchase Plan F or HDF. High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is the post-2020 high-deductible Medigap option and is offered in Washington by 8 carriers. See our MA vs Medigap comparison →

Standalone Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)

Washington is part of CMS PDP Region 30 (combined with Oregon). For 2026, there are 10 standalone PDP plans from 5 carriers. Average total premium is $41.50/month (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The LIS benchmark of $10.46/month is one of the lowest in the country.

Costs in Washington

Medicare Advantage Premiums

The average consolidated MA premium in Washington is $30.00/month (median $0.70) (CMS CY2026 Landscape). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.

The top three carriers by plan count are UnitedHealthcare (31 plans), Humana (26 plans), and Kaiser Permanente (20 plans) (CMS CY2026 Landscape). Average star rating is 3.69.

Medigap Premiums — Plan G and HDG

Unlike most states, Washington Medigap rates are community-rated by statute (RCW 48.66.045) — every enrollee in a given Medigap plan from a given carrier pays the same premium, regardless of age, gender, tobacco use, or health status. Premium ranges across the 15 Washington Plan G carriers (non-tobacco, ages 65–85) span approximately $122 to $466/month in 2026 (TPP rate database, CY2026); the spread reflects carrier-to-carrier variation, not age-band variation.

High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is offered by 8 Washington carriers; community-rated premiums range from approximately $214 to $434/month (TPP rate database, CY2026). HDG works well for beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at a lower monthly cost and can absorb the $2,950 deductible (2026).

Part D Costs and the LIS Benchmark

For 2026, Washington Part D premiums average $41.50/month across 10 standalone PDP plans. The CMS Low Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) benchmark premium for PDP Region 30 (Oregon and Washington) is $10.46/month — one of the lowest LIS benchmarks in the country (CMS CY2026 Regional Rates and Benchmarks).

Washington-Specific Medicare Rules

Year-Round Guaranteed-Issue Medigap

RCW 48.66.045 and Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner rules require Medigap insurers to offer coverage on a community-rated, continuous open-enrollment basis. Washington beneficiaries can apply for or switch Medigap coverage any day of the year, with restrictions only on benefit-level upgrades:

• No 6-month-OEP cliff. Unlike states with a 6-month Open Enrollment Period tied to Part B enrollment, in Washington the guaranteed-issue window is year-round.
• Switch to equal or lesser benefits. You can switch Medigap plans at any time without medical underwriting if the new plan has equal or lesser benefits. Switching to a higher-benefit plan after the initial OEP may be subject to underwriting.
• Community-rated premiums. Your age, gender, tobacco use, and health history do not affect the price you pay. Premium differences across plans reflect carrier-to-carrier variation only.

Washington is one of only six states with year-round Medigap protections (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Washington — each with its own variant).

State Pharmacy Assistance Programs

Washington operates several programs that supplement Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage:

• Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP): A state-administered prescription drug discount card run by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA), available to any Washington resident regardless of income or insurance status. WPDP can stack with Medicare Part D for non-formulary drugs and at participating pharmacies. More information at https://www.hca.wa.gov.
• Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD): Medicaid program for employed Washington residents with disabilities (ages 16–64).
• Apple Health Classic Medicaid: Full Medicaid coverage for low-income beneficiaries who qualify; provides prescription drug coverage alongside Medicare.

SHIBA can help you navigate these programs and confirm eligibility — phone numbers and income thresholds are updated periodically, so verify current details before applying.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

Washington offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) administered by the Washington Health Care Authority (HCA — Apple Health / Medicaid):

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part B premiums only.
• QI (Qualifying Individual): Also covers Part B premiums; subject to annual appropriations.

Apply through Washington Connection (the state benefits portal) or contact SHIBA (1-800-562-6900) for free enrollment assistance. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help / LIS on Part D. Learn more about MSPs →

Washington SHIBA

Washington SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide. Operated by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Phone: 1-800-562-6900
Website: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba

Enrolling in Medicare in Washington

Standard Enrollment Periods

• Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month. Enroll at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
• Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31.
• Medigap in Washington: Year-round guaranteed issue under RCW 48.66.045 — no Open Enrollment cliff for equal-or-lesser-benefit switches.
• Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Learn more →

Washington SHIBA Counseling

Contact SHIBA at 1-800-562-6900 for free one-on-one Medicare guidance statewide.

Frequently Asked Questions