Washington Medicare 2026
Medicare in Washington serves about 1.5 million beneficiaries, with 46% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $157/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $45/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
1.5 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
46%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$157/mo
New enrollee, age 65
Washington Medicare Quick Facts (2026)
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available (2026) | 126 plans | Statewide total — fewer available in your county (CMS) |
| Average MA premium (2026) | $18.20/mo | was $21.91/mo in 2025 (CMS) |
| $0-premium MA plans | Available | 100% of beneficiaries have $0-plan access (CMS) |
| Stand-alone Part D plans (2026) | 10 plans, lowest $0/mo | Adds drug coverage to Original Medicare (CMS) |
| Top MA carriers | Kaiser Permanente Washington, UnitedHealthcare, Regence BlueShield | Networks differ by county |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; Kaiser Permanente Washington operates a strong integrated MA plan in the Puget Sound region. Washington has passed legislation expanding Medigap access for disabled beneficiaries under 65. |
MA plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are CMS 2026 figures (state fact sheet); Medigap and top-carrier details are editorial estimates. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month, Part B deductible $283, Part D out-of-pocket cap $2,100. Verify plans at medicare.gov.
Washington Medicare: Puget Sound's Kaiser Dominance and East-West Regional Divide
Washington State's Medicare market is divided by the Cascades into two distinct regions. Western Washington (Puget Sound/Seattle metro) has a highly competitive MA market anchored by Kaiser Permanente Washington — formerly Group Health, which was acquired by Kaiser — and a robust network including Providence Health & Services, UW Medicine (University of Washington Medical Center), and MultiCare Health System. The Seattle-Tacoma metro consistently offers 50+ MA plan choices. Regence BlueShield is a major Medigap and MA carrier in the state, with roots as Blue Cross of Washington and Oregon.
Eastern Washington (Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Wenatchee) has a separate, less competitive MA market where Providence Sacred Heart and MultiCare serve as hospital anchors. Beneficiaries in rural eastern Washington — the wheat country, the Okanogan Highlands — often rely on Original Medicare with Medigap due to limited MA network options. Medigap Plan G averages about $157/month in Washington. The state has passed legislation requiring insurers to offer Medigap to Medicare-eligible disabled individuals under 65, a notable consumer protection. Washington has no birthday rule, but the disabled beneficiary Medigap access law is a meaningful expansion. Oregon's Birthday Rule does not apply to Washington residents.
What to Know About Medicare in Washington
Original Medicare + Medigap path
In Washington, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage path
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 46% of Washington beneficiaries currently choose MA.
Medigap switching rights in your state
No state annual GI rights; Kaiser Permanente Washington operates a strong integrated MA plan in the Puget Sound region. Washington has passed legislation expanding Medigap access for disabled beneficiaries under 65.
Washington Pro Tip
Medicare FAQs — Washington
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Washington?
+
Washington beneficiaries in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area typically have access to 55 or more Medicare Advantage plans. Spokane and the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) generally offer 25 to 40 options. Rural eastern and central Washington counties may have 10 to 20 MA plan choices.
What is the average Medigap Plan G premium in Washington?
+
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Washington State is approximately $157 per month. Seattle metro premiums may be slightly higher than eastern Washington due to elevated healthcare costs. Kaiser, Regence, Cigna, and Mutual of Omaha all offer Medigap options in the state.
Can I switch Medigap plans in Washington without medical underwriting?
+
Washington does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap switching. However, Washington law does require insurers to offer Medigap to disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65, which is a notable protection for those on Medicare due to disability. Outside these protections and your initial 6-month open enrollment, medical underwriting applies.
Related Guides
Medicare Advantage plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are from CMS — 2026 Medicare Advantage & Part D State-by-State Fact Sheet (August 2026), cross-checked against KFF. Medigap Plan G and Part D averages are editorial estimates. See the full Washington Medicare plan landscape at /tools/medicare-plan-landscape/washington. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed August 2026
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