Whitman County is one of the places in Washington where Medicare Advantage is the exception, not the rule. In July 2026, CMS counted 7,083 people with Medicare in the county, and only 2,032 of them, 28.7%, were in Medicare Advantage and other health plans. Statewide that share was 49.7%. If your plan is one that's leaving, both roads stay open to you: another Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare.
The county's Medicare picture
| CMS counts, July 2026 | Whitman County | Share | Washington share |
|---|---|---|---|
| People with Medicare | 7,083 | ||
| Original Medicare | 5,051 | 71.3% | 50.3% |
| Medicare Advantage and other health plans | 2,032 | 28.7% | 49.7% |
| Dual-eligible (Medicare and Apple Health) | 1,013 | 14.3% | 15.1% |
| On Medicare because of a disability | 705 | 10.0% | 8.0% |
| Stand-alone Part D plans | 3,708 | 65.3% of Part D enrollees | 40.1% |
| Part D inside a private health plan | 1,972 | 34.7% of Part D enrollees | 59.9% |
Source: CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment, July 2026. Shares computed from the CMS counts; Part D shares are of everyone enrolled in Part D.
Read the bottom two rows together. About two of every three Whitman County residents with Part D buy it as a stand-alone plan alongside Original Medicare. That's the reverse of the state pattern. That describes the county, not what's right for you; your own doctors and prescriptions decide that.
The county is also young for Washington. OFM counted 6,478 residents 65 and older in 2025, 13.1% of the population, which fits a county that is home to Washington State University. And it's spread out: 49,000 people (OFM, April 1, 2026) over about 2,159 square miles of the Palouse, roughly 23 people per square mile. Pullman alone holds 33,860 of them.
Two small hospitals, and the Idaho line
Washington's hospital lists show two hospitals in Whitman County: Whitman Hospital & Medical Center in Colfax, the county seat, and Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman. Both are critical access hospitals. The state Department of Health describes those as small rural hospitals with fewer than 25 beds; there are 39 of them in Washington. DOH notes they often provide primary care, therapy and other services in addition to emergency and inpatient care.
If you see specialists outside the county, the map matters. Whitman County borders three Idaho counties (Latah, Nez Perce and Benewah) and, to the north, Spokane County. Wherever your specialists are, that's what to check before choosing 2027 coverage:
- Another Medicare Advantage plan may require you to use its network for non-emergency care. Look up both local hospitals and every out-of-county or Idaho doctor in the plan's 2027 directory.
- Original Medicare covers any provider in the country that accepts Medicare, which includes the Idaho side, but it has no yearly out-of-pocket limit on its own, which is one reason some people add a Medigap policy; drug coverage comes from a separate Part D plan.
What to do, in date order
Now through November. Your plan keeps paying through December 31, 2026. Federal rules required it to mail you notice at least 90 days ahead, so the letter should have been mailed by early October. Keep it with the postmarked envelope. List your doctors (including any in Idaho or Spokane), your pharmacy and every prescription.
November 1 onward. If you are leaning toward Original Medicare with a supplement, this is when OIC says to start Medigap applications. Washington's RCW 48.66.055 gives you guaranteed issue when a Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area. First Medicare-eligible before 2020: Plans A through F (including high-deductible F), K and L are open to you. First eligible on or after January 1, 2020: A, B, D, G (with high-deductible G), K and L. The insurer must accept you, cover pre-existing conditions and not charge more because of your health.
By December 7. Medicare's fall Open Enrollment closes. Anything chosen by then starts January 1.
December 8 to 31. Your plan-ending special enrollment period opens December 8. Choices made by New Year's Eve still start January 1. This is the deadline I'd hold yourself to.
January 1, 2027. New coverage begins. If you didn't choose, you're in Original Medicare with no Part D plan, unless you get Extra Help, in which case CMS reassigns you to a stand-alone drug plan.
January and February 2027. The special enrollment period continues through February 28. January choices start February 1; February choices start March 1. Watch the drug clock: 63 days or more without creditable coverage can bring a late penalty of 1% of $41.33 per uncovered month, added for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.
March 4, 2027. The Medigap guaranteed issue right ends, 63 days after December 31. If you joined another Medicare Advantage plan instead of going to Original Medicare, the right doesn't apply.
The statewide guide to discontinued Medicare plans explains each step more fully.
If you have Apple Health or are under 65
Whitman County has 1,013 dual-eligible residents, 598 with full Apple Health and 415 with partial benefits. Duals get the December 8 to February 28 window too, and on top of it they can change stand-alone drug plans once per calendar month. Those with full benefits may also be able to join an integrated plan, which Washington calls Apple Health Medicare Connect, once a month where one is offered. If you're struggling with premiums but don't have Apple Health, the Medicare Savings Programs have no asset test, according to HCA; apply at washingtonconnection.org or at a DSHS office.
The 705 residents on Medicare because of a disability should be careful about dropping a private plan for Original Medicare on the assumption that a Medigap policy will follow. OIC says under-65 options are more limited, and not every insurer sells to that group. Call SHIBA first.
Help in Whitman County
- SHIBA. Whitman County's SHIBA sponsor is Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, based in Spokane (509-625-4801, [email protected]). On October 26, 2026, OIC's local office listing for it said "Currently not accepting appointments. For assistance, call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227." The statewide SHIBA line, 800-562-6900, was still listed, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Community Living Connections for Whitman County is run by Rural Resources Community Action's Aging and Disability Resource Connection, 1615 NE Eastgate in Pullman: 509-332-0365 or toll-free 1-800-873-5889.
- Rides in Pullman. Pullman Transit's Dial-A-Ride serves riders 65 and older and people who can't use a regular bus because of a disability (509-332-5471).
- Medicare. 1-800-MEDICARE, 24/7 except some federal holidays, and Medicare Plan Finder for comparing drug and health plans for 2027.
Pullman readers can find city-level numbers on our Pullman page.
Federal Medicare law and Washington statutes are what govern these choices, and your own plan's notice sets the dates that apply to you, so confirm your case with 1-800-MEDICARE, SHIBA or a licensed agent before acting.
Whitman County questions
How common is Medicare Advantage in Whitman County?
Are Pullman Regional Hospital and Whitman Hospital in Colfax affected when a plan leaves?
Who runs SHIBA for Whitman County?
If I go to Original Medicare, when should I apply for Medigap?
Sources
- CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment, July 2026
- WA OFM April 1, 2026 population estimates
- WA OFM population by age, 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025 (land area)
- Census county adjacency file
- WA DES Whitman County profile
- WA DOH hospital data (HOFIDAR)
- CMS Hospital General Information
- WA DOH: Rural health systems (critical access hospitals)
- Washington OIC: Is your Medicare Advantage plan changing or leaving?
- Washington OIC: Find a local SHIBA office (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- RCW 48.66.055
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (2026)
- CMS CY 2027 MA and Part D Enrollment and Disenrollment Guidance
- Medicare.gov: Part D costs
- Medicare & You 2027
- HCA: Medicare Savings Program
- HCA: Apple Health Medicare Connect
- Community Living Connections
- City of Pullman: Dial-A-Ride
