Washington
Medicare help in Washington
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the Washington rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHIBA
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is Washington's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in Washington
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) runs Washington's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
Washington allows more income than the federal minimum: up to 110% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), and up to 138% for help with the Part B premium (SLMB and QI). Washington doesn't count your savings or other assets for these programs.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
Washington drug assistance program
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in Washington. Start with Extra Help; Washington's free SHIP counselors can help you apply.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, Washington's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in Washington
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner licenses insurance agents in Washington. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in Washington
Switching plans later
Washington gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: Any time, between Plans B through N (or Plan A to Plan A), without health questions.
If you're under 65
Washington doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get your own Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in Washington
Where can I get free Medicare help in Washington?
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) is Washington's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-562-6900.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in Washington?
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-562-6900.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in Washington?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) (1-800-562-3022). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. Washington allows more income than the federal minimum: up to 110% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), and up to 138% for help with the Part B premium (SLMB and QI). Washington doesn't count your savings or other assets for these programs. Washington's free SHIP counselors (1-800-562-6900) can help you apply.
Does Washington help pay for prescriptions?
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in Washington. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income, and Washington's free SHIP counselors (1-800-562-6900) can check whether you qualify.
Does Washington have a Medigap birthday rule?
Washington gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: Any time, between Plans B through N (or Plan A to Plan A), without health questions.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in Washington?
Washington doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get a full Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65.
State contacts checked against official Washington sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.