Medicare Advantage Plans in Whatcom County, WA:
Your Complete 2026 Guide
In Whatcom County, WA, Medicare beneficiaries have 20 Medicare Advantage plans to consider for 2026. Among them, 13 are offered at a $0 premium. About 16,789 people in the County are currently enrolled, and 39% of plans are rated 4 stars or higher. Special Needs Plans are not included in the figures shown above. Explore SNP options for Whatcom County, WA here.
Page last revised:
Enrollment data refreshed: May 2, 2026
* Each year CMS evaluates Medicare Advantage plans on a 5-star scale. Data sources
Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
PPO, or Preferred Provider Organization, plans give Medicare beneficiaries the ability to see a wide range of providers. These plans cover in-network care at the lowest cost but also include the option to use out-of-network providers for a higher fee, offering added choice compared with other plan types.
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-12 | $0 | $6,700 | $600 | H2001 087 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-16 | $56 | $6,700 | $600 | H2001 136 0 | |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback | $0 | $9,150 | N/A | H7617 021 0 | |
| HumanaChoice H7617-016 | $87 | $6,750 | $615 | H7617 016 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-0003 | $42 | $6,700 | $600 | H1278 030 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx WA-MA01 | $0 | $6,700 | N/A | H1278 031 0 | |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback | $0 | $5,100 | N/A | H5216 455 0 | |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback | $0 | $9,150 | N/A | H5216 427 1 | |
| HumanaChoice H5216-048 | $87 | $6,750 | $615 | H5216 048 0 | |
| Wellcare Patriot Giveback Open | $0 | $5,700 | N/A | H5965 003 0 |
What is the total number of PPO plans offered in Whatcom?
Whatcom County has 10 PPO plans for 2026, with enrollment of 2,197.
How much do PPO plans cost on average in Whatcom?
The mean monthly PPO premium in Whatcom is $27.20, and 6 plans have no premium.
Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
With an HMO, you’ll typically get care from providers and facilities in the plan’s network. In exchange for this limitation, HMO plans usually feature lower monthly premiums and reduced cost-sharing, which can help enrollees better manage their healthcare expenses.
- Total HMO Plans
- 4
- Average Premium
- $18.50/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled
- 5,345
- $0 Premium HMOs
- 3
- Average MOOP
- $5,788
- Most Popular HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Harbor (HMO) with 2,505 enrollees
- HMOs Without Drug Coverage
- 1
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Anchor | $0 | $6,600 | $110 | H5050 023 0 | |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Basic | $0 | $4,200 | N/A | H5050 001 0 | |
| Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Harbor | $74 | $5,800 | $100 | H5050 017 0 | |
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-133 | $0 | $6,550 | $300 | H5619 133 0 |
- What is the average monthly premium for HMO plans?
- On average, HMO plans in Whatcom cost $18.50 per month.
- Which HMO plan is most popular in Whatcom?
- The leading HMO in Whatcom is Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Harbor (HMO), with 2,505 members.
- How many HMO plans in Whatcom do not include drug coverage?
- There are 1 HMO plans available in Whatcom without Part D benefits.
Medicare Advantage HMO-POS Plans
HMO Point-of-Service (HMO-POS) plans blend elements of HMO and PPO coverage. You can see providers outside the network, but out-of-network services typically cost more. This type of plan may appeal to people who like the lower costs of an HMO but also want occasional flexibility to go out of network.
- Total HMO-POS Plans 6
- Average Premium $19.50/mo
- Beneficiaries Enrolled 9,247
- $0 Premium HMO-POS 4
- Average MOOP $6,592
- Most Popular HMO-POS Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) with 4,106 enrollees
- HMO-POS Without Drug Coverage 0
| Health Plan Name | CMS Rating* | Premium Per Mo | MOOP | PDP Ded. | CMS Plan ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Advantage Essentials from UHC WA-6 | $0 | $6,300 | $355 | H3805 017 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Extras from UHC WA-14 | $0 | $6,700 | $440 | H3805 044 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-0005 | $38 | $5,900 | $355 | H3805 015 0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC WA-0010 | $79 | $4,900 | $355 | H3805 037 0 | |
| Wellcare Giveback | $0 | $9,250 | $615 | H0029 009 0 | |
| Wellcare Simple | $0 | $6,500 | $615 | H0029 011 0 |
What is the total number of HMO-POS plans in Whatcom?
There are 6 HMO-POS plans in 2026, covering 9,247 beneficiaries.
How much do HMO-POS plans cost on average in Whatcom?
The average HMO-POS premium is $19.50, with 4 costing $0.
What is the leading HMO-POS plan in Whatcom?
Wellcare Simple (HMO-POS) is the most popular HMO-POS plan in Whatcom, with 4,106 enrollees.
What is the number of HMO-POS plans without Part D coverage in Whatcom?
0 HMO-POS plans in Whatcom do not include drug coverage.
The table below shows the quality ratings for Medicare Advantage plans offered in Whatcom County, WA for 2026.
| Rating Category | Number of Plans | Percent of Plans |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Stars | No 5-star plans available. | 0% |
| 4 Stars (includes 5 Stars) | 7 | 39% |
| 3 Stars | 10 | 56% |
| Below 3 Stars | 1 | 6% |
| Not Rated | 2 | 10% |
| Average Rating | 3.72 | |
In Whatcom County, Medicare Advantage enrollment follows specific timelines. Understanding these options—whether it’s your first time enrolling or switching plans—helps you choose coverage that matches your health and budget.
When You Can Sign Up
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Lasting seven months around your 65th birthday, this period lets you enroll in Medicare for the first time. You may also choose a Medicare Advantage plan during this time. Learn more
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, people already enrolled in Medicare Advantage can make a one-time change—switch to another plan or return to Original Medicare. Learn more
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Each fall, from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can review their coverage and make changes for the next plan year. Learn more
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Life events like moving to a new service area, losing other health coverage, or becoming eligible for assistance may open a Special Enrollment Period to adjust your Medicare coverage. Learn more
Ways to Enroll in Medicare Advantage
- Consult a Licensed Agent: Call a licensed insurance agent at HealthCompare 1-833-748-3201 (TTY 711), available Monday through Friday 5am–6pm and Saturday 6am–5pm PST, for help reviewing your Medicare options.
- Contact the Plan Provider Directly: Start enrollment by reaching out to the plan provider through their website or by phone with their member services team.
- Use Medicare.gov: At Medicare.gov, you can compare Medicare Advantage plans side by side and enroll securely online.
The MA and MAPD plans on this page are available to people on Medicare enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B living in Bellingham, Blaine, Custer, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Maple Falls, Point Roberts, Sumas, and all other areas of Whatcom County, Washington.
Plans Offered for Enrollment through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, HealthSpring℠, HealthSun, Healthy Blue, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files — Last accessed September 26, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance — Last accessed October 10, 2025
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package — Last accessed October 13, 2025
- CMS.gov, Medicare Advantage/Part D Contract and Enrollment Data — Last accessed May 2, 2026
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Landscape file, Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data. Enrollment counts and rankings (such as Top 3 plans by enrollment) are derived from CMS monthly enrollment files and aggregated at the county level.
Medicare.org separates Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs) into different pages for clarity. As a result, plan counts, percentages, and other calculations shown here may differ from the aggregate totals published in the CMS Landscape files. All plan availability and benefit details originate from CMS.
Learn more about how we use CMS data.
- Medicare.gov, "Compare types of Medicare Advantage Plans" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- Medicare.gov, "Your coverage options" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
- AARP.org, "The Big Choice: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage" — Last accessed 25 May, 2025
Some facts and percentages shown on this page (such as average premiums, distribution of plan types, and percentage of $0 premium plans) are calculated by Medicare.org using data from the CMS Plan Benefits Package (PBP) files and Part C & D Performance files. All underlying values originate from CMS, and calculations are refreshed whenever CMS issues updated data.
To explore how 2026 Medicare Advantage plans available in Whatcom County compare with plans offered elsewhere, you can search the Medicare Advantage plan directory to review options nationwide using the same authoritative data sources.
Medicare.org is owned and operated by Health Network Group, LLC, an Allstate company. Medicare.org provides information only and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
Data provenance documentation is maintained in alignment with the U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) Provenance standard.
Page content independently curated and maintained by David W. Bynon, Medicare Technical Operator, using a standardized, data-driven methodology designed for accurate, non-commercial Medicare plan interpretation and resolution.