Medicare by region · Seattle, the Eastside, South King County
The deepest plan menu in Washington, and the most ways to end up in a plan that leaves your doctor out. The comparison here starts with which system you use: UW Medicine, Providence Swedish, Virginia Mason Franciscan, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Overlake or EvergreenHealth.
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Medicare in the region
King County has the widest Medicare choice in the state: many Medicare Advantage plans, every Medigap carrier licensed in Washington, and the full Part D lineup. The catch is that Seattle-area care is organized into large systems that contract separately, and a $0-premium plan that includes Swedish may exclude UW, or the reverse. Fred Hutch and UW Medicine accept Original Medicare and contract selectively with Advantage plans, which is why so many people with a cancer history keep a Medigap policy.
The county also has some of the highest housing values and retirement incomes in the country, which makes IRMAA — the income surcharge triggered by a house sale or a year of vested stock — a more common surprise here than anywhere else in the state. We compare what is actually offered at your ZIP code, confirm your doctors and pharmacy, and set Advantage beside a supplement so you can see the trade-off plainly.
Local plans to know: Kaiser Permanente Washington is both insurer and care system, so its Advantage plans are built around Kaiser medical centers and little else. UW Medicine has said it will not be contracted with Humana, PacificSource or Wellpoint plans for 2026. If your doctor sits inside one system, that decides the shortlist before premiums do.
Counties: King.
Each contracts differently with each plan; we check your doctors first.
Turning 65? Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your birthday. Already on Medicare? The Annual Election Period is Oct 15–Dec 7, and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs Jan 1–Mar 31. Already have a Medigap policy? Washington lets you change it any time of year.
Your options
All-in-one Part C plans, often $0 premium, that use a local network — so whether UW Medicine, Providence, MultiCare or Kaiser is in it matters as much as the price.
How Advantage worksMedigap pairs with Original Medicare and lets you see any provider in the country that accepts Medicare — and in Washington you can change plans any time.
How Medigap worksStandalone drug coverage chosen around your medications and pharmacy. 2026 out-of-pocket cap: $2,100.
How Part D worksAdvantage plans built for a chronic condition, for nursing-facility care, or for people with both Medicare and Apple Health.
About SNPsQuestions from King County
King County typically has the widest choice in Washington: many Medicare Advantage plans, every Medigap carrier in the state, and all standalone Part D plans. Availability is set by county and ZIP code and changes each plan year; we compare what is offered at your address.
Both accept Original Medicare and therefore any Medigap policy. UW Medicine contracts with some Medicare Advantage plans and not others — for 2026 it has said it will not be contracted with Humana, PacificSource or Wellpoint — and the list changes yearly. We confirm in writing before you enroll.
Nothing. Independent agents are paid by the carriers when you enroll, so comparing plans and reviewing your coverage each year is free to you.
Ready when you are
A short, friendly conversation — no pressure, no cost.
Written and reviewed by Darin Weidauer — licensed insurance agent (NPN 18580338, WA License #1010707), Gerontologist (USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology), MBA, Registered Social Security Analyst, and 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran.Last reviewed September 13, 2026. Plan availability, benefits and costs change every plan year — verify current details at Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or Washington SHIBA at 800-562-6900.