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Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington

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Understand Medicare Part C in Washington

Medicare Advantage Plans offer a few key differences that distinguish them from Parts A and B of the Original Medicare system managed by the federal government. While Part A pays for inpatient care at a hospital and Part B covers services and supplies used to treat or prevent medical conditions, Medicare Advantage Plans come with a few added benefits. Plans are required to offer the same level of care as Original Medicare and may include additional health care benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, routine hearing, vision, and dental exams, and fitness club memberships:

  • In 2023, there are 153 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Washington.
  • 100% of the total Medicare population in Washington has access to a Medicare Advantage Plan with a $0 monthly premium in 2023.
  • In 2023, the average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage Plan in Washington is $30.50, a decrease from $33.56 in 2022.
  • Thirty-three Medicare Advantage Plans offer innovative benefits, such as wellness and health care planning, reduced cost-sharing, and rewards and incentives programs in 2023.

Designed to be an all-in-one solution, Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans available, depending on your insurance provider and location. Learn the differences between these plans and how they affect your coverage so that you can make the right choice for your medical situation.

 

Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington

Compare ratings of some of Washington’s Medicare Advantage Plan providers:

Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Insurance company Medicare rating A.M. Best rating BBB rating J.D. Power ranking
Aetna 4 stars A A+ 6th out of 9
Blue Cross Blue Shield 4.5 stars A A+ Not rated
Humana 4 stars A- A+ 2nd out of 9
UnitedHealthcare 3.5 stars A- A- 4th out of 9

What Medicare Advantage Plans cover

Medicare Advantage Plans cover benefits from Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), usually Part D (prescription drug coverage), and sometimes additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Each Medicare Advantage Plan insurer sets the rules about how you receive and pay for these benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits
Hospital and skilled nursing facility inpatient care Home health care Prescription drug coverage (if included in your plan)
Medically necessary outpatient services, such as:
  • Doctor’s visits
  • Ambulance services
  • Emergency and urgent care
  • Durable medical equipment (DME)
  • Mental health care
  • Prescription drugs that you cannot self-administer
  • X-rays
  • Laboratory tests
 Preventive services, such as:
  • Vaccinations
  • Cancer screenings
  • Diabetes screenings
  • Depression screenings
 Additional benefits (depending on your plan), such as:
  • Routine vision exams with allowance for glasses
  • Routine dental exams
  • Hearing exams with allowance for hearing aids
  • Fitness and wellness programs and discounts
  • Transportation to medically necessary care
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

Types of Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington

There are four types of plans available in Washington’s Medicare Advantage program: Health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), private fee-for-service (PFFS), and special needs plan (SNP). Each offers a different level of flexibility in your network of care providers and varies in price. All Medicare Advantage Plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare, but additional benefits may come with an increased premium.

HMOs

HMOs typically require that you receive all services from in network providers:

  • You must have a primary care physician (PCP), referrals for specialists, and prior authorizations for treatments and some prescriptions.
  • Drug coverage usually is included. You aren’t able to purchase standalone drug coverage.
  • Lower costs if you stay in network.
 PPOs

PPOs include a preferred network of providers, but you have the option of choosing doctors or hospitals from outside of the network for a higher cost.

  • You don’t need to choose a primary care doctor or referrals for specialists.
  • Drug coverage is usually included.
  • You aren’t able to purchase stand-alone drug coverage.
  • Higher premium and out-of-network costs.
PFFS Plans

PFFS plans don’t require a primary care physician or referrals for specialists:

  • You can go to any Medicare-approved health care provider or facility that accepts the plan’s payment terms and agrees to treat you.
  • May include drug coverage, or you can purchase a standalone drug plan.
  • Higher cost if you choose a provider that doesn’t agree to the plan’s terms.
 SNPs

SNPs are only for people with specific conditions and characteristics, and include care coordination and targeted benefits tailored to meet your specific needs:

  • You need a PCP and referrals to specialists.
  • Drug coverage is always included.
  • If you’re eligible, you can join an SNP at any time.

When to sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington

If you want to enroll in a Washington Medicare Advantage Plan, you need to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, and you cannot be enrolled in Medigap. Enrollment is available to seniors 65 and older and those with a qualifying disability.

Your disability typically qualifies if you’ve received at least 24 Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Disability Insurance payments. You can also enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

There are three periods when you can enroll:

  • The first is the Initial Coverage Election Period when you first become eligible. This period includes the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and the three months following. If you have a disability, this period will occur three months before or after your 25th month of receiving benefits.
  • The Annual Election Period runs from October 15 to December 7. During this period, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you can switch between plans during this period.
  • The Open Enrollment Period takes place between January 1 and March 31. You can switch between Medicare Advantage Plans or go back to Original Medicare during this period.

Medicare provides special enrollment periods for unusual life circumstances, such as losing your job (and health coverage) and moving out of the area of your insurance carrier services.

 

How to Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan in Washington

Consider these factors as you compare Medicare Advantage Plans available in your area:

How to compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Monthly premium This is in addition to your Part B monthly premium. so it affects your monthly cash flow. You pay whether or not you access your benefits. You should have access to at least one zero premium plan with drug coverage in your area.
Provider network Check to make sure your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are in network to keep costs as low as possible.
Out-of-pocket max This is the most you’ll spend ― not including your premium, deductible, and drug costs ― for Medicare-covered services as long as you follow the plan’s rules for in and out of network coverage.
Deductibles, coinsurance & copays Also known as cost-sharing, these expenses apply when you access your benefits. Check to see what your plan charges for doctor’s visits, services, treatments, and prescription drugs.
Drug coverage/formulary See if your drugs are on the plan’s formulary and how much they cost each time you fill a prescription. You may want to talk with your doctor about a generic or alternative version of a drug you need.
Additional benefits Consider which additional benefits are important to you. Most plans require you to use network providers and may charge extra premiums for more comprehensive coverage.

Medicare Advantage Resources in Washington

If you’re feeling confused by the multitude of plan options available, getting in touch with trained, unbiased counselors can be a good first step. Washington is home to organizations that can help you make an informed decision.

Washington Medicare Advantage Resources
Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging Website | Each Area Agency has its own contact number The Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging, or W4A, comprises 13 Area Agencies on Aging in the State of Washington. The group advocates at the local, state, and federal level for services and programs that support older adults.
Washington State Council on Aging (SCOA) Website | 360-725-2466 The Washington State Council on Aging (SCOA) is an advocacy group focused on supporting senior citizens and bringing attention to aging issues.
Washington Care Planning Council Website | 800-989-8137 The Washington Care Planning Council (WaCPC) is a hub of resources for older adults and their caregivers who are making arrangements for long-term care.

 

Kelly-Blackwell Headshot
Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA®, Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

Kelly-Blackwell Headshot
Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

As a health care professional since 1987, Kelly Blackwell has walked alongside and cared for seniors as they journey through the season of their fourth quarter of life. Blackwell holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in health care administration from Grand Canyon University, an interprofessional graduate certificate in palliative care from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and holds a Certified Senior Advisor® credential from the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

Blackwell contributes to the University of Colorado-Anschutz blog and has been published in “The Human Touch” distributed by the University of Colorado Center for Bioethics and Humanities. She cowrote “Dying Is” for Pathways Hospice.

A registered nurse, Blackwell understands health insurance choices influence quality of life and are driven by values, goals, and beliefs. She’s passionate about engaging with, educating, and empowering seniors as they navigate the health care system. She’s equipped to lend an experienced, compassionate voice to beneficiaries seeking information about Medicare Advantage Plans.

As a CSA®, Blackwell has access to valuable resources for Medicare beneficiaries. Her work as a bedside nurse and clinical manager has given her the opportunity to see how Medicare rules, regulations, and benefits work when patients need them. With a passion to learn and to make a difference in the lives of seniors, Blackwell supports seniors through Medicare and fourth-quarter life decisions.

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