← Back to blog

How to Apply for Medicare in Washington State

By Michael Gurr · Published 2026-05-27 · Updated 2026-05-27

Medicare is a federal program. The rules are the same in every state. But Washington has a few things working in your favor that most states don't — and knowing about them before you enroll changes some of your decisions.

Here is how to get enrolled, step by step.

Step 1 — Know When Your Window Opens

Your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after.

If you turn 65 in September, your window runs June through December.

Enrolling in the first 3 months of that window means your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month. Enrolling during or after your birthday month delays your start date by one to three months.

Missing the window entirely without qualifying employer coverage creates a permanent penalty. Part B adds 10 percent to your monthly premium for every 12-month period you were eligible and did not enroll. That penalty never goes away.

If you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B. Your card arrives in the mail roughly 3 months before your 65th birthday. You still need to make decisions about supplemental coverage — but the enrollment itself happens without you.

If you are not receiving Social Security at 65, nothing happens automatically. You have to sign up yourself.

Step 2 — Gather What You Need

Before you apply, have these ready.

Your Social Security number and date of birth. If you are enrolling based on a spouse's work record, their Social Security number as well.

If you are delaying Part B because you have active employer coverage from an employer with 20 or more employees, you will need documentation of that coverage. Typically a letter from your employer confirming you are actively enrolled.

Your current medications if you plan to compare Part D drug plans. The plan comparison tool at medicare.gov lets you enter your prescriptions to find the most cost-effective option in your Washington zip code.

Step 3 — Apply

There are four ways to apply for Medicare.

Online at ssa.gov. Most people find it takes about 10 minutes and can be completed from home.

By phone through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday 8am to 7pm.

In person at your local Social Security office. Find yours at ssa.gov/locator. Useful if your situation is complicated or you have questions you want answered in real time.

Through your employer or union, if they offer a Medicare enrollment assistance program.

For most Washington residents approaching 65, the online application at ssa.gov is the fastest path.

Step 4 — Decide What Comes Next

Enrolling in Parts A and B is the foundation. Parts A and B together are called Original Medicare. They cover hospital stays, doctor visits, outpatient care, and most medical services. They do not cover prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, or long-term care.

After enrolling in Parts A and B you have two directions to go.

The first is adding a Medicare Supplement plan. A Supplement plan works alongside Original Medicare and covers most of what Medicare does not — deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. You can see any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare. No network. No referrals. You add a standalone Part D drug plan separately.

The second is switching to Medicare Advantage. A Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare with a private insurance plan that typically includes drug coverage. Most plans advertise zero premiums. They use provider networks and require prior authorization for some services.

This is the decision most worth getting right before you enroll.

What Washington Gets You That Most States Don't

Once you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan in Washington, two state protections kick in that most people across the country do not have.

The first is community rating. Washington law requires insurers to charge all enrollees the same premium for the same plan regardless of age. A 65-year-old and a 75-year-old pay the same monthly rate for the same plan at the same carrier. Premiums do not increase simply because you get older.

The second is the Right to Change. Washington law allows Supplement enrollees to switch carriers at any time of year without medical underwriting. No health questions. No risk of denial. If a carrier raises rates significantly, you can compare and switch without any medical review.

These are meaningful protections. They do not apply automatically — they apply once you are enrolled in a Supplement plan. Knowing they exist before you make your initial plan choice changes the decision.

The One Thing Worth Getting Right Before You Enroll

The application itself is straightforward. What is not straightforward is the decision you make right after it — Supplement or Advantage, which carrier, which drug plan.

Getting that decision right at 65 is far easier than trying to change it later. In Washington you have more flexibility than most states, but the initial choice still matters.

A free consultation with a local licensed advisor before you apply costs nothing and takes about 15 minutes. It is the fastest way to understand what is available in your specific Washington county, what the premiums look like for your situation, and which path makes sense given your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget.

Book a free Medicare review before you apply →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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