As you may know, Vancouver shares its name with a Canadian city. It’s the fourth largest city in Washington state, with a population of over 180,000. There are approximately 135,000 Medicare beneficiaries that live in the city.
Medicare plans in Vancouver, Washington
This article will discuss the cheapest Medicare Advantage plan options and the most affordable Medicare Supplements. After that, we’ll discuss the average Part D prescription plans and the types of special needs plan available. Once that’s finished, we’ll answer a few common questions and how to get help with Original Medicare options in Vancouver, Washington.
The illustrations below are based on a female that’s aged 70 years.
Medicare Advantage plans
In Vancouver, over 50% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. With just over 60,000 enrolled. Situated in Clark County on the border of Oregon, Vancouver residents have 46 Medicare plan options available to their residents.
Kaiser Permanente is a staple in Medicare Advantage for Vancouver, Washington. They are more of a regional carrier but have many facilities set up in Washington for their plan members. In addition to their VIP style care, they also have the highest star rating you can get.
As one of the oldest insurers in the nation, Cigna has plan offerings in Vancouver. Over the years, not only have they offered some of the most robust Medicare options, but they also have excellent customer service.
Providence, like Kaiser, is a smaller regional insurance company. They also have a 5-star rating for their HMO offered in Vancouver.
Medicare Advantage plans typically include both your medical and prescription coverage. These plans can vary based on your location and the carrier you choose to enroll with. These all-in-one plans also provide benefits in addition to what Medicare covers.
The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans in Vancouver, Washington
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Star Rating |
| Humana | $0 | $6,200 | HMO | 4 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $0 | $5,600 | HMO | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Cigna | $0 | $6,500 | HMO | N/A |
| Providence | $0 | $5,500 | HMO | 5 |
Medicare Supplement plans
Unlike Medicare Advantage plans that take over from Original Medicare, a Vancouver, Washington, Medicare Supplement works hand in hand with Medicare. This allows you to maintain the freedom to choose any doctor and have fewer coverage restrictions.
Medigap plans don’t cover prescription coverage and have standardized coverage. This means the coverage is the same no matter what company you choose or where you reside.
Regarding Medicare Supplement coverage options, there are ten plan letters to choose from. Most beneficiaries choose between one of the top three plans. The top plans have been the most popular for several years.
Plan F is the most comprehensive plan. It covers your entire cost share once Medicare pays its part. There is a lower-cost, high deductible option designated the HDF. Plan F is discontinued for beneficiaries that became Medicare eligible after 2020.
Plan G is almost Identical to Plan F. It’s the most popular for new Medicare members, and the coverage level is as strong as Plan F. The only thing that Plan G doesn’t cover is the Part B deductible. The HDG is a lower-cost, high-deductible version of Plan G.
Plan N is an excellent option for beneficiaries with great coverage and a lower price. Plan N’s coverage is similar to Plan G. In addition to the Part B deductible, You’ll pay a $20 copay when you have a doctor’s visit and $50 for a trip to the emergency room.
The average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Vancouver, 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 | $185.30 | $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
Medicare drug coverage is among the most confusing and worrisome to many Medicare beneficiaries. Part D coverage is used for prescriptions that are picked up from the pharmacy.
They consist of four coverage phases: Deductible, Initial, Coverage Gap, and Catastrophic. You move through the phases based on the costs and what you spend on your scripts.
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll generally receive drug coverage as one of your benefits. If you stay with Original Medicare and Medigap, you’ll want to enroll in a stand-alone part D plan.
For several years Aetna’s SilverScript has been one of the top plans in the nation. They seem to have an option that fits almost everyone’s needs. They’re also known for excellent customer service.
Another insurer that has springboarded into a premier Medicare plan provider is Wellcare. They have the second-lowest premium on one of their three Vancouver, Washington, Part D options.
You can never go wrong with Humana. They are one of the most well-known Medicare plan providers. They have excellent coverage throughout all of their plan offerings.
The average cost of Medicare Part D plans in Vancouver, 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
One of the available options for Medicare Advantage plans is Special Needs Plans. A special needs plan is a Part C option that was set up to help beneficiaries with certain special needs. Among these SNP plans available are Dual Eligible, Chronic Health, and Institutionalized options.
Molina Healthcare gives access to two different Dual SNP plan choices. Dual SNP plans assist beneficiaries that are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.
Community Health is a small carrier offering a couple of Vancouver plans. They have been operating in the Medicare space since 1992. Community Health was the first not-for-profit Medicare plan provider in Washington State.
UnitedHealthcare is the largest insurance provider regarding Medicare. Endorsed by AARP, they focus on ensuring that our Medicare beneficiaries have great coverage and an advocate to speak on their behalf.
The average cost of Medicare Special Needs plans in Vancouver, Washington
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | Plan Type | Eligibility |
| Molina Healthcare | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Community Health | $0 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
| Humana | $0 | $6,700 | HMO | Dual |
| UnitedHealthcare | $36.80 | $500 | LOCAL PPO | Institutional |
| Molina Healthcare | $40.50 | $7,550 | HMO | Dual |
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Vancouver, Washington
When choosing the right plan for you, ensure you’re working with someone who represents you, not an insurance carrier. Our licensed brokers have access to all the carrier options and can guide you based on your needs and wants.
Fill out our online request form, or give us a call. We’ll be glad to help you through every aspect. From education to help with enrollment into the plan you choose. We’re only one call away.
