Medicare and Regence: Details, Choices, and Financials
Regence, a private health insurance company, provides Medicare plans in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. This company offers various plans, including Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap, each designed to meet the diverse needs of seniors.
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
Regence's Medicare Advantage plans are available in all four states and combine Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with additional benefits like vision, hearing, dental, and sometimes fitness programs or over-the-counter allowances. The average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans in Washington is around $37.89, but these figures may vary depending on the region and plan details, with deductibles ranging from $0 to $590.
These plans cover all hospital and outpatient services covered by Original Medicare, as well as extra benefits. However, members moving states may need to switch plans due to availability and plan specifics changes based on location.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
Stand-alone Part D plans are also administered by Regence in these states. The average monthly premium in Washington is approximately $39.41, with deductibles around $475. Costs and plan formularies will vary by region, and members moving to a different state must enroll in local Part D plans during a special enrollment period.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
Regence offers Medigap plans, such as Plan G and Plan N, which are popular choices. These plans fill gaps in Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The average monthly premium in Washington for Medigap plans ranges from $120 to $200, depending on the plan chosen.
Benefits include coverage for Part A and B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and additional home health visits. Medigap policies can be kept when moving between states if staying on Original Medicare, but switching plans in different states may lead to cost differences and eligibility changes.
Regional Notes
Washington has a robust Medicare market, with 20 Medicare Advantage plans and 14 Part D plans available, demonstrating diversity and competition that helps keep costs reasonable. Regence is a strong regional provider with extensive resources and decades of experience, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon and Idaho, as well as Utah.
Premiums and deductibles vary across states and even within regions, so exact costs should be verified using the Medicare.gov plan finder or Regence’s local offerings.
Summary
Here's a summary of the average monthly premiums, benefits, and notes for each plan type in Washington, which can vary by region:
| Plan Type | Average Monthly Premium (WA example) | Benefits | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Regence Medicare Advantage | ~$37.89 (varies) | Includes hospital & outpatient care + extras like dental, vision | Premiums and benefits vary by region; plans often customized locally | | Part D | ~$39.41 (varies) | Prescription drugs coverage | Must change if moving states; special enrollment period applies | | Medigap (Plan G or N) | $120-$200 | Covers deductibles, coinsurance, extra visits | Can keep policy when moving states if on Original Medicare; rates vary |
For the most accurate benefit details and cost estimates, especially in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah, it's recommended to review the specific plan offerings and premium rates on Regence’s website or through the Medicare Plan Finder tool, as these can fluctuate by county within each state.
Regence Advantage plans may also include additional benefits such as dental care, vision care, hearing care, annual physical exams, preventive care and immunizations, benefit card for over-the-counter products, gym membership, meal delivery services, and medical alert devices.
Regence is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information about Regence's Medicare plans, visit their website or use the Medicare online tool to find the costs of Regence Medicare Advantage plans in your region.
- Health organizations such as Regence, a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, provide Medicare plans that incorporate science and health-and-wellness add-ons like fitness programs, dental care, and vision care, in addition to basic Medicare coverage.
- In the health insurance sector, science plays a crucial role in Medicare Advantage Plans offered by companies like Regence, which include Part D (Prescription Drug Plans) and Medigap, designed to cater to the diverse needs of seniors in health-and-wellness, by filling in the gaps in Original Medicare, covering prescription drug costs, and providing additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing care.
