Medicare in Washington
Free counseling, Medigap rules and help paying costs in Washington.
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Washington as everywhere else. What changes by state is who can buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy and when, which private plans are sold where you live, and the state programs that help with costs.
Free Medicare counseling in Washington
Washington’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA). Its counselors give free, one-on-one help with enrollment, comparing plans, Medigap, and programs that lower costs. They don’t sell insurance. Read more about what a SHIP counselor can do.
Medigap if you’re under 65
Washington doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, so some people can't buy a plan until they turn 65.
Federal law only guarantees a Medigap Open Enrollment Period to people 65 and older, so state law decides what’s available before then. See Medicare under 65 on disability.
Switching Medigap plans: Washington's year-round switching
If you already have a Medigap plan in Washington, you can switch at any time: from any of Plans B through N to another of those plans, or from Plan A to Plan A, without health questions.
Washington requires Medigap premiums to be community rated, so an insurer charges everyone who buys the same policy the same premium regardless of age.
Every state also has the federal guaranteed issue rights, such as losing employer coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area. See Medigap guaranteed issue rights and switching Medigap plans.
Help paying Medicare costs in Washington
Washington’s Medicaid program (Apple Health (Medicaid)) also runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and, for some people, deductibles and coinsurance. States may set limits higher than the federal minimums, so apply even if your income is a little over them. Qualifying for one also gets you Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
If you qualify for both Medicare and full Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, read Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Washington
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold by county, so the plans, premiums and networks available in one part of Washington can differ from another. The Medicare Plan Finder lists every plan for your ZIP code. You can change plans during Medicare Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Common questions
Washington's State Health Insurance Assistance Program is Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA), reachable at 1-800-562-6900. SHIP counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help and don't sell insurance.
Washington doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, so some people can't buy a plan until they turn 65.
If you already have a Medigap plan in Washington, you can switch at any time: from any of Plans B through N to another of those plans, or from Plan A to Plan A, without health questions.
Original Medicare's rules, premiums and deductibles are the same in every state (the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026). What varies is which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are sold in your county, state Medigap rules, and state programs that help pay costs.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA), insurance.wa.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- State Medigap Rules: Birthday Rule and Coverage for Under 65 (as of May 11, 2026), National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, insurance.wa.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, app.leg.wa.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medigap rules and consumer protections, hca.wa.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC), insurance.wa.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.