Seattle is the largest city in Washington. Quite frankly, it isn’t one that many people think of when they think of retiring; however, they have 484,926 Medicare beneficiaries that live in Seattle Washington. With nearly 190,000 enrolled in Medicare Part C.
Medicare plans in Seattle, Washington
When it comes to Medicare plan options, you can go to a few directions. Some people enroll in Medicare Advantage to receive their benefits in an all-in-one plan option.
Others choose to stay on Original Medicare and add a Part D prescription plan and a Medigap to their coverage. There isn’t a right or wrong decision. It’s essential to choose the route that fits your individual needs.
Today we’ll discuss the Medicare Advantage options and some affordable Medicare Supplement plans. After that, we’ll cover the cheapest Part D plans and special needs plans.
The information in the charts below is all based on a 70-year-old man residing in Seattle.
Medicare Advantage plans
In Seattle, approximately 40% of the Medicare beneficiaries that live in the city elect to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The majority of the female beneficiaries choose this option. Seattle is situated in Kingo County. Individuals enrolled in Medicare have 52 different Medicare Part C plans they can choose from.
There are many carriers to choose from in Seattle, but one of the top plans belongs to Kaiser Permanente. They have a tight provider network on their HMO plans but provide excellent care are services to their patients. They even boast the highest star rating that any Medicare Advantage can have.
Aetna has a PPO available with a maximum out-of-pocket lower than the HMO options shown. They have an extensive network of providers and provide some coverage as in-network even when traveling. Recently purchased by CVS, they are one of the largest healthcare providers.
endorses . Together these companies have become a powerhouse in advocating for seniors. has an HMO-POS plan that allows you to see some providers even if they aren’t in the network.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Seattle, Washington
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Premera Blue Cross | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | 3 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $6,600 | HMO | 5 |
| Aetna | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $5,000 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| $0 | $6,500 | HMO-POS | 4 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized coverage, meaning your coverage will be the same no matter where you are or which company you choose.
In addition, since they supplement Medicare and don’t replace it, they allow you to see healthcare providers nationwide without needing referrals.
10 Medigap options are available. Of these, most beneficiaries enroll in one of the most popular plans. Plans F, G, and N represent most of the Medicare Supplement enrollments in Seattle.
Plan F is the most comprehensive option. You are only responsible for your plan premium. As long as you’re paying your premium, Plan F will pay all of the Medicare cost-share you are responsible for.
Plan G is the most popular plan for new individuals to Medicare. The coverage is almost identical to the coverage you receive from Plan F. There is only one difference between the two plans. With Plan G, you’re responsible for the Medicare Part B deductible.
Plan N rounds out the top Medigap options. IIt’sthe perfect balance between cost and coverage. Plan N has comparable coverage at a lower cost than the previous two plans we mentioned.
Plans HDF and HDG are high-deductible versions of Plans F and G. With these, you must meet a large deductible before the plan kicks in to cover your costs.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Seattle, Washington
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $132.00 | $334.52 |
| PLAN B | $199.11 | $372.83 |
| PLAN C | $234.68 | $461.14 |
| PLAN D | $206.46 | $398.06 |
| PLAN F | $235.84 | $465.99 |
| PLAN HDF | $44.00 | $73.17 |
| PLAN G | $99.35 | $279.16 |
| PLAN HDG | $44.00 | $66.22 |
| PLAN K | $61.24 | $121.00 |
| PLAN L | $136.80 | $147.25 |
| PLAN M | N/A | N/A |
| PLAN N | $139.78 | $210.00 |
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
The scariest part of Medicare for most beneficiaries is the Prescription coverage portion. Many have heard horror stories about falling into the dreaded donut hole from their friends and colleagues.
You must choose one of two ways to get prescription coverage covered under the Medicare system. You can get an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage or enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription plan.
SilverScript has been one of the most popular plans for several years. Their clients rave about customer service and have plans that fit all budgets. SilverScript is an Aetna company.
Wellcare comes in second only to SiverScript for the cheapest plan premium. They have become one of the top Medicare carriers nationwide for prescription plans and Medicare Advantage.
Clear Spring is a smaller company still reasonably new in the Medicare market. They have a low star rating currently, but they’re improving. We often see them at the top in certain drug combinations.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Seattle, Washington
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $7.70 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $11.60 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $16.20 | $480 | 2 |
| Elixir | $20.30 | $480 | 3 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
Special Needs plans
Special needs plans are Medicare Advantage plans designed to help people with specific needs. These plans are broken up into three categories.
Dual SNPs
D-SNPs work hand in hand with Medicaid to assist Medicare beneficiaries who have dual enrollment in both programs. These plans have plan-specific benefits to help low-income individuals.
Chronic SNPs
C-SNPs assist beneficiaries with chronic health conditions like diabetes and COPD. The coverage can adjust the tiers of certain drugs and give increased coverage for benefits geared toward the condition.
Institutionalized SNPs
I-SNPs are expressly set up for beneficiaries that are living in an institutionalized setting.
Most Medicare insurance carriers offer some SNP plans in Seattle Washington, but keep in mind they may not be available in all areas. Community Health is a small Medicare provider that offers a DSNP in Seattle.
AAmerigroup’sa small regional carrier formed by a group of doctors. Their goal is to provide the best care they can for their patients and give peace of mind to their families.
Molina is a company that offers a similar style of coverage as Kaiser. They offer VIP care, where nearly all your doctors and services are in one location. Because of this, they also have fewer providers that accept the plan.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Seattle, Washington
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Humana | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | Dual |
| Amerigroup | $0 | $2,500 | HMO | Institutional |
| Molina Healthcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Wellcare | $0 | $3,450 | HMO | Dual |
| Community Health | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Seattle, Washington
Signing up for a supplemental Medicare plan is easy, but choosing the right one isn’t quite simple. With many options in Seattle, it’s a surprise that so many have difficulty deciding and finding the best plan for themselves.
That’s where we come in! We can access your situation, check your scripts and doctors, and then guide you based on your needs and wants. Let us be your one-stop shop. Give us a call, or fill out our online request form for assistance.
