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Medicare Costs in Washington 2026: Part B, Supplements, Penalties and What to Expect

By Michael Gurr · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

If you're approaching Medicare, you've probably heard it called "government health insurance" and assumed it was mostly free.

It's not — at least not entirely.

Most Washington residents pay something every month for Medicare. And depending on your income, your plan choice, and whether you add supplemental coverage, the monthly number can look very different from one person to the next.

Here's a clear breakdown of what Medicare actually costs in Washington in 2026 — so you're not caught off guard.

Is Medicare Part A Free in Washington?

For most people, yes.

If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you pay $0 in monthly premiums for Part A. That covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.

If you don't meet that work history, Part A premiums can run up to $505/month in 2026 — though most Washington residents won't hit that.

There's still a deductible to know about. The Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period in 2026. If you're hospitalized more than once in a year, that deductible can apply more than once.

What Does Medicare Part B Cost in Washington?

This is where most people see their first real bill.

The standard Part B premium in 2026 is $202.90/month for most Washington residents. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and lab work.

There's also an annual deductible of $283 in 2026 before Medicare begins paying its 80% share.

After the deductible, Medicare pays 80% of covered services. You pay the remaining 20% — with no cap. That 20% can add up fast if you have a major health event.

What Is IRMAA — and Could It Apply to You?

If your income is above a certain threshold, you pay more for Part B. This is called IRMAA — Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

Here's the part most people miss: Medicare uses your income from two years prior to set your current premium. That means your 2024 tax return is what determines what you pay in 2026.

For example — if you earned $160,000 in 2024, you fall into the $137,000–$171,000 individual bracket and will pay $405.80/month for Part B in 2026. Not the standard $202.90. That's a $203 difference every single month — and most people don't find out until the notice from Social Security arrives.

Here are the confirmed 2026 IRMAA brackets based on your 2024 income:

Individual Filers:

Married Filing Jointly:

IRMAA also applies to Part D premiums, adding $14.50 to $91.00/month on top of your plan premium depending on your income tier.

If you retired in 2024 and had a high-income year, your 2026 premiums will still reflect that income — even if you're now living on significantly less. The good news: you can request a review with Social Security using Form SSA-44 if you've had a qualifying life-changing event like retirement, divorce, or loss of a spouse.

What Does Medicare Part D Cost in Washington?

Part D covers prescription drugs. In Washington for 2026, you have 10 stand-alone Part D plans available, with the lowest monthly premium starting near $0.

The average monthly Part D premium runs approximately $35–$47/month depending on the plan — though your specific cost depends on which plan you choose and which drugs you take.

The biggest change in 2026: the annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D is now $2,100. Once your drug costs hit that number, you pay nothing more for covered prescriptions for the rest of the year. This is a significant improvement for anyone on expensive medications.

If you skip Part D when you're first eligible and don't have other creditable drug coverage, you'll face a permanent late enrollment penalty — 1% of the national base premium for every month you went without coverage.

What Does a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Cost in Washington?

Original Medicare — Parts A and B — covers a lot, but it leaves gaps. There's no cap on the 20% you owe after the Part B deductible, and costs can pile up fast if you're sick.

Most Washington residents add a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) to fill those gaps. The most popular option is Plan G, which covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible ($283/year in 2026).

Medigap premiums vary by plan and insurer, but Washington residents benefit from something most other states don't have: community rating. Insurers must charge the same premium regardless of your age at 65 or older — and you have the right to switch Medigap plans at any time without a health screening (with some plan limitations).

Typical Plan G premiums in Washington range from roughly $230–$350/month depending on the carrier, and Plan N runs about $178–$250/month. That's real money, but it buys predictability — you know your maximum exposure going in.

What Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Washington?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a different approach entirely. Instead of Original Medicare plus a Supplement, you get all-in-one coverage through a private plan.

In 2026, all Washington residents with Medicare have access to at least one $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan. There are 126 plans available statewide.

But $0 premium doesn't mean $0 cost. You still pay your Part B premium of $202.90/month regardless of which plan you're on. And Advantage plans come with copays, coinsurance, and an annual out-of-pocket maximum — up to $9,250 in-network in 2026 for Medicare-covered services.

That maximum protects you from catastrophic costs, but it's a very different structure than a Supplement plan — where most of the cost is known upfront.

What Most Washington Residents Actually Pay Per Month

Here's a realistic range depending on what path you choose:

These are estimates. Your actual cost depends on your income, your county in Washington, the specific plans available to you, and your prescriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Medicare isn't free — but it doesn't have to be confusing.

Most Washington residents will pay somewhere between $203 and $470 a month depending on their coverage choices. The decisions you make in your first enrollment window shape your costs for years to come.

If you'd like a quick look at what Medicare might cost in your specific situation, I'm happy to run through the numbers with you. No products pushed. Just a clear picture of where you stand.

Michael Gurr is a licensed Medicare and retirement advisor serving Pierce County and Washington State.

This article is for educational purposes. For official Medicare information, visit medicare.gov.