Whatcom County is in the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island and the Skagit and Whatcom valleys up to the Canadian border. The county seat is Bellingham.
Whatcom borders British Columbia, and Bellingham is the medical hub for the state’s far northwest corner. Medicare generally doesn’t pay for care in Canada.
Communities in Whatcom County: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine.
2027 plans in Whatcom County at a glance
What it means if you live in Whatcom County
- That's 11 plans fewer than in 2026 (20). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your Annual Notice of Change to see whether it continues and what changes. Wellcare and Kaiser Permanente stop selling regular Medicare Advantage plans here on December 31; at least 9,369 people in Whatcom County are in one of those plans. If that's you, here is what to do. (CMS data) UnitedHealthcare ends some Medicare Advantage plans here while keeping others; at least 6,480 people in Whatcom County are in one of those plans. Your plan's letter says whether yours is ending; here is what to do. (CMS data)
- 2 are HMOs (you generally use the plan's network) and 7 are PPOs (which also pay out-of-network doctors, usually at a higher cost to you).
- 5 plans have no Part D drug coverage. Those suit people who get drug coverage elsewhere, such as from the VA; otherwise you could owe a late-enrollment penalty for going without it.
- Special needs plans here: 15 for people with both Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid); 2 for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure; 2 for people who live in a nursing home or need that level of care. You can join one only if you qualify.
- Whatcom County ranks 17th of Washington's 39 counties for plans open to everyone. In the San Juan & Northwest Washington region (4 counties), the count runs from 4 to 15.
- At least 25,172 people in Whatcom County were in a Medicare Advantage plan in October 2026.
Licensed insurance agents for Whatcom County
These independent insurance agents are licensed in Washington and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.
See Medicare plans in Whatcom County
Enter your ZIP code to compare Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plans available where you live.
You'll go to PlanMatchMedicare.com, a plan comparison site from Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. Only your ZIP code is sent.
Original Medicare and Medigap
If you'd rather keep any doctor who takes Medicare, Original Medicare with a Medigap policy and a Part D plan works the same in every Washington county. Medigap in Washington.
Nearby counties
You can only join a Medicare Advantage plan sold in the county where you live.
| County | Plans open to everyone, 2027 | Special needs plans |
|---|---|---|
| Skagit County | 15 | 27 |
| Snohomish County | 31 | 29 |
| Island County | 12 | 15 |
| San Juan County | 4 | 14 |
2026 Medicare costs (the same in every county)
| Cost | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Part B premium | $202.90 a month (standard) |
| Part B deductible | $283 a year |
| Part A deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 a year |
Other places to get answers
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, or Medicare.gov.
- Social Security (signing up for Parts A and B, Extra Help): 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
- Apple Health (Washington Medicaid, and help with Medicare costs): hca.wa.gov.
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (complaints about an insurance company or agent): insurance.wa.gov.
Questions about Medicare in Whatcom County
How many Medicare Advantage plans are there in Whatcom County for 2027?
CMS lists 9 open to everyone with Medicare (20 in 2026), plus 19 special needs plans for people who qualify. You still pay your Part B premium.
When can I change my Medicare plan in Whatcom County?
Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, for coverage starting January 1. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once between January 1 and March 31. If your plan leaves your county, you get a Special Enrollment Period.
How do I find a licensed insurance agent in Whatcom County?
Use the agent search on this page, or call (206) SENIORS (206-736-4677), TTY 711 to compare plans with a licensed insurance agent at no cost to you. Agents listed here are licensed in Washington.
Sources
Plans open to everyone are Medicare Advantage plans with or without drug coverage, not special needs plans. Enrollment counts HMO and PPO plans; CMS hides counts of 10 or fewer, so real numbers are a little higher.