CMS star ratings, premiums and MOOP costs show Washington's top Medicare Advantage choices. For HMO coverage, Cigna HealthCare charges no monthly premium and caps out-of-pocket costs at $4,733 with a 4-star rating. Kaiser Permanente's HMO-POS option costs $52 per month with a $4,500 out-of-pocket maximum and 4 stars. Aetna leads PPO plans with a 4.5-star rating.
Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington (2026)
Updated: February 25, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Eight insurers compete in Washington's Medicare Advantage market with 16 total plans across HMO, HMO-POS and PPO networks. Monthly costs start at $0 for four plans and reach $161 for premium coverage options.
Cigna HealthCare wins for HMO plans in Washington, while Kaiser Permanente and Aetna lead the HMO-POS and PPO categories.
Confirm your doctors are in-network, check how your prescriptions are covered and compare monthly premiums against annual out-of-pocket limits.
Best Medicare Advantage Companies in Washington
| HMO | Cigna HealthCare | 4.00 | $0 | $4,733 | HealthSpring Preferred (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Kaiser Permanente | 4.00 | $52 | $4,500 | Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Value (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | Aetna | 4.50 | $24 | $6,900 | Aetna Medicare Enhanced (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage plans cover hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs in one comprehensive package. These private insurance alternatives to Original Medicare must provide the same basic coverage while adding dental, vision and hearing benefits.
- CMS Star Ratings: CMS rates plans 1 to 5 stars on quality and performance. Higher-rated plans score better on member satisfaction, care coordination and clinical outcomes.
- Monthly premiums: You'll pay your Part B premium plus any plan-specific premium, though many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0. Premiums vary by coverage level and location.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: These annual caps protect you from runaway medical costs. Once you hit your MOOP limit, your plan covers 100% of covered costs through Dec. 31.
- Drug coverage: Most plans include prescription coverage with a formulary. Before enrolling, confirm your medications are listed and check for any prior authorization requirements.
Cigna
Best HMO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.9/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
3.8/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.0Plan Types
HMO, PPO
Kaiser Permanente
Best HMO-POS
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS
Aetna Medicare
Best PPO
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
5/5Quality
4.5/5Availability
CMS Star Rating
4.5Plan Types
PPO, HMO
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Washington's 33 HMO Medicare Advantage plans come from six providers, with 24 plans earning 4 stars or higher. CMS ratings run from 3 to 4.5 stars. Twenty plans charge $0 monthly premiums, keeping the median at $0. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $3,150 to $8,800, averaging $5,725 per year.
- Kaiser Permanente offers the most options with 16 plans averaging $132 monthly, $4,860 maximum out-of-pocket costs and 4.0-star ratings.
- For zero-premium coverage with the lowest MOOP, Cigna HealthCare's single 4-star plan charges no monthly premium and caps out-of-pocket costs at $4,733.
- Three $0 premium plans from Providence Medicare Advantage Plans carry 4-star ratings but higher $6,750 average maximum costs.
| Cigna HealthCare | 4.00 | $0 | $4,733 | 1 | 4.88 |
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.00 | $132 | $4,860 | 16 | 4.50 |
| Providence Medicare Advantage Plans | 4.00 | $0 | $6,750 | 3 | 4.25 |
| Aetna | 3.00 | $0 | $6,750 | 2 | 3.98 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.00 | $34 | $6,700 | 1 | 3.93 |
| Humana | 3.20 | $33 | $5,207 | 10 | 3.89 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO PLAN?
HMO plans use smaller provider networks and require you to select a primary care doctor who coordinates your healthcare and provides referrals for specialist visits. They're best for people who want lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs compared to other Medicare Advantage options. This approach works well if you're comfortable having one doctor manage your care and don't mind the referral process.
Best HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Washington's HMO-POS Medicare Advantage plans earn high quality ratings, with three receiving 4 stars and none rated at 3 stars. Two providers offer 11 coverage options, and six don't charge monthly premiums. Maximum out-of-pocket costs hit $5,418, spanning from $3,500 to $6,700.
- Both providers score 5 out of 5 with MoneyGeek, though Kaiser Permanente charges $52 monthly while UnitedHealthcare averages $30. Kaiser Permanente's three plans rate 4 stars with a $4,500 maximum out-of-pocket cost.
- UnitedHealthcare's eight coverage options earn 3.5 stars with a higher $5,865 MOOP despite lower monthly premiums.
| Kaiser Permanente | 4.00 | $52 | $4,500 | 3 | 5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 3.50 | $30 | $5,865 | 8 | 5 |
WHY CHOOSE AN HMO-POS PLAN?
If you want lower monthly costs than PPO plans but more flexibility than standard HMOs, HMO-POS plans might be a good choice. You'll get an HMO structure with the ability to see out-of-network providers when you need specialized care that's not available in your network, though you'll pay higher costs for those visits.
Best PPO Medicare Advantage Plans in Washington
Washington residents can choose from 22 PPO Medicare Advantage plans, paying anywhere from nothing to $354 each month. Half the plans cost around $32. PPO plans let you see any doctor without referrals, though out-of-pocket costs run higher than HMO plans.
Maximum out-of-pocket costs span $3,000 to $9,250, landing around $6,851. Quality varies across the market. Eight plans achieved 4.5 stars, matching the total number scoring 4 stars or above. Another seven plans earned 3.5 stars, while six received 3 stars.
- Aetna's two plans average $24 monthly and limit out-of-pocket spending to $6,900. Both earned 4.5 CMS stars and helped Aetna reach a 4.7 MoneyGeek score.
- Premiums average $53 across UnitedHealthcare's eight plans, with out-of-pocket maximums around $6,601. Plans average 4.21 CMS stars, and the insurer scored 4.6 from MoneyGeek.
- Humana's five plans average $64 monthly, which cap expenses at $6,719. The insurer earned a 4.44 MoneyGeek score despite lower 3.97 CMS stars.
| Aetna | 4.50 | $24 | $6,900 | 2 | 4.69 |
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.21 | $53 | $6,601 | 8 | 4.59 |
| Humana | 3.97 | $64 | $6,719 | 5 | 4.44 |
| Cigna HealthCare | 3.00 | $0 | $6,800 | 1 | 4.26 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 3.00 | $150 | $6,238 | 3 | 3.87 |
| Wellcare | 2.67 | $10 | $8,875 | 3 | 3.71 |
WHY CHOOSE A PPO PLAN?
PPO plans come with higher monthly premiums, but you have complete freedom to choose health care providers. Washington residents can see any doctor or specialist without referrals and access out-of-network providers when needed, though staying in-network saves money.
How to Choose the Best Washington Medicare Advantage Plan
Washington offers dozens of Medicare Advantage plans with different costs, networks and benefits. Choosing the right one depends on how you use healthcare.
- 1Confirm Your Doctors and Hospitals Are In-Network
Your current providers might not accept every plan in Washington. Get specific plan names from insurers you're considering and call each doctor's office to confirm they participate.
- 2Compare Total Costs, Not Just Premiums
Think beyond the monthly premium and calculate what you'd spend annually. Multiply typical specialist visits by each plan's copay, add prescription costs from the formulary and factor in any expected procedures. A $40 monthly premium with $15 copays is often cheaper than a $0 premium charging $55 per visit if you see doctors regularly.
- 3Check Prescription Drug Coverage
Each plan's formulary places medications into cost tiers — Tier 1 drugs carry the lowest cost, while Tier 4 runs the highest. Look up your current prescriptions on each plan's drug list before enrolling. Some medications also require prior authorization, which can delay your first refill.
- 4Compare Different Plan Types
HMOs keep costs lower through coordinated care that requires a primary care referral before seeing a specialist. HMO-POS plans add out-of-network access for a higher fee, and PPOs cost more monthly but drop the referral requirement entirely. Consider how often you need specialist care and whether network flexibility is worth the added premium.
Read more: Types of Health Insurance Plans
- 5Review Star Ratings and Quality Metrics
Washington Medicare Advantage plans earn 1 to 5 stars from CMS based on member satisfaction, care quality and claims processing. Plans rated 4 or 5 stars consistently outperform lower-rated options on health outcomes and customer service.
- 6Look Beyond Basic Coverage
Some Washington plans include dental coverage for fillings and crowns, vision benefits covering exams, frames and lenses, fitness memberships, hearing aids and monthly over-the-counter allowances. Not every plan offers all of these, so check which extras matter most to you before enrolling.
- 7Check Out-of-Pocket Maximums
Hit your annual out-of-pocket maximum, and your Medicare Advantage plan picks up 100% of covered costs through Dec. 31. Plans with lower MOOPs generally carry higher monthly premiums, so weigh that cost against how much medical care you use each year.
How Much Does Medicare Advantage Cost in Washington?
Washington Medicare Advantage costs vary by plan type. HMO plans offer the most affordable premiums with a $0 median and $37 average monthly cost, though they carry $5,725 average out-of-pocket maximums. HMO-POS plans cost slightly less at $27 monthly average with better $5,418 MOOP limits. PPO plans top the expense chart at $32 median and $56 average monthly premiums, plus $6,851 average out-of-pocket maximums that nearly double HMO amounts, though PPO plans let you see any specialist or out-of-network provider without a referral.
| HMO | $0 | $37 | $5,725 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $27 | $5,418 |
| PPO | $32 | $56 | $6,851 |
Best Washington Medicare Advantage: FAQ
Find answers to questions about how to enroll, what's covered and enrollment timing for Medicare Advantage across the state.
How do you get a Medicare Advantage plan in Washington?
You need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B first to get a Medicare Advantage plan. Compare plans on Medicare.gov during Annual Enrollment (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or during other qualifying periods.
What does Medicare Advantage cover?
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare does, including hospital stays and doctor visits, plus most include prescription drugs and extras like dental and vision.
What's the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with bundled coverage from private insurers, while Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare to cover deductibles and copays.
When is open enrollment for Medicare Advantage in Washington?
In Washington, Medicare Advantage open enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 annually. Current enrollees also have a secondary enrollment window from Jan. 1 to March 31.
Our Methodology: How We Ranked Washington's Best Medicare Advantage Plans
Our analysis of Medicare Advantage plans uses a scoring methodology and three key factors:
- Affordability (50%): Cost comprises half of our overall score because it affects your budget. We evaluated monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage combined (30% weight) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (20% weight). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP amounts score higher since they reduce your total annual health care spending.
- Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings measure plan quality across categories like care effectiveness, customer service and member satisfaction. The Overall Star Rating combines both Part C (medical coverage) and Part D (prescription drug) ratings on a scale from 1 to 5 stars. Plans with higher ratings earn better scores in our analysis.
- Availability (10%): We score providers based on how many states they operate in, including Washington, D.C. Providers with broader geographic availability score higher because they're more likely to maintain coverage if you move and often have more resources for customer support and plan improvements.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.