Click Here For PEBB Provided Health Insurance
– OR –
Click Here For Open Market (Non-PEBB Provided) Health Insurance
Medicare Part D Drug Plan Review for 2026
Note: This information has been provided by RPEC’s Healthcare Workgroup. For RPEC members who have traditional Medicare, a supplemental (Medigap) policy, and Medicare Part D for prescription drugs, here are a few reminders for 2026 open enrollment.
- Medicare open enrollment is now through December 7—this includes Medicare Part D.
- Remember to check that your current Medicare Part D plan still covers the medications you need in 2026. Plans can change their medication lists (formularies) at any time.
- Your plan must notify you of any changes to their drug list via mail that affect drugs you’re taking, but it’s easy to miss when there’s so much Medicare-related mail during open enrollment.
- If available, remember to check the tier (level) of your medication—it may change also.
- If you have an online account with Medicare, go to https://www.medicare.gov/my/home to find your current Part D plan. Then you can check which drugs your plan offers in 2026.
- Medicare.gov Plan Compare is a helpful resource for comparing Medicare Part D plans available where you live. You might find a plan that covers all your current drugs and saves you money.
- SHIBA is another excellent resource for one-on-one assistance in comparing plans, including drug coverage.
Health Insurance Open Enrollment (PEBB)
October 27 – November 24, 2025
RPEC has worked extensively with the Health Care Authority (HCA), the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB), and the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) to develop a comprehensive source of information for retirees who receive their Medicare insurance/non-Medicare insurance through PEBB. These resources have been designed to help guide you through the decision-making process to select the health insurance that best suits your needs.
The PEBB open enrollment period is October 27 – November 24, 2025.
To help guide you through the process, we recommend reviewing the information provided below.
- View the HCA/RPEC Open Enrollment Webinars (see below).
- Listen to our “RPEC On Air” podcast series on Medicare with SHIBA (see below).
- Visit the HCA Retiree Open Enrollment website here.
- Visit the SHIBA Get Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment website here.
- Attend an Open Enrollment Webinar hosted by the plan carrier.
- Attend an HCA Benefits Fair.
- Attend an HCA Virtual Benefits Fair.
- Additional information can be found on our Healthcare Resources page.
- Lastly, if you have any Medicare-related questions, reach out to the SHIBA advisors here.
HCA/RPEC Open Enrollment Webinars (PEBB)
2025 – RPEC-hosted PEBB Open Enrollment for 2026 Webinar held on Friday, September 26th via Zoom, featuring Laura Ryan, Retiree Benefits Manager at the Washington State Health Care Authority. (Video coming soon!)
View the Webinar here | View Webinar PowerPoint here
2024 – HCA in concert with RPEC held an open enrollment informational webinar with Ellen Wolfhagen, Senior Account Manager at HCA. The webinar covers the Medicare plans offered by HCA/PEBB with in-depth information regarding each of the available plans.
View the Webinar here | View Webinar PowerPoint here
Listen to our “RPEC On Air” podcast series on Medicare with SHIBA
2025 – Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment – Tim Smolen, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program Manager, and our very own Matt Groshong, RPEC Healthcare Workgroup Chair and Ch. 3 President, have joined us once again to prepare you for the fast-approaching Medicare open enrollment period. In this special webcast, Tim unveils a new resource to help Medicare enrollees get ready for open enrollment in just 7 easy steps. Note: This podcast is also a video.
Download the SHIBA Medicare Open Enrollment Jumpstart Toolkit. You can download a version online, request a print copy, or pick up a copy at your local library or senior center.
2024 – Introducing our special three-part series all about Medicare Open Enrollment: RPEC On Medicare! Special guests Tim Smolen, SHIBA Program Manager, and Matt Groshong, Ch. 3 President and Healthcare Workgroup Chair, share their expertise.
RPEC On Medicare Part 1: Getting Started in Medicare – In part 1, we discuss getting ready for Medicare for those who are nearing retirement age. Tune in to learn about what you need to do, what your resources are, and why it’s so important to get everything right the first time.
RPEC On Medicare Part 2: Medicare on the Commercial Market – In part 2, we discuss Medicare options on the commercial market. Medicare open enrollment begins on Oct. 15, and there are big changes for 2025. Tune in to learn more about what you need to do so you can make the best choice for you.
RPEC On Medicare Part 3: PEBB Open Enrollment – In part 3, we discuss the Public Employees’ Benefits Board (PEBB) Medicare Open Enrollment and review the different plans within the PEBB portfolio and all the changes coming in 2025. If you receive your health insurance through PEBB, tune in and make sure you are prepared, do your research so you can make the best choice for you, and please don’t miss your deadline!
Explore the HCA PEBB Healthcare Plans
As a retiree, your HCA PEBB benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. You may also have term life insurance. Explore the benefits available to you and learn how to enroll and manage your coverage.
- Visit the HCA PEBB Retiree Open Enrollment page
- Read October “For Your Benefit” newsletter
- View PEBB Monthly Premiums
- View Open Enrollment Election/Change Form
Click the link to explore the benefit plans offered by PEBB, along with helpful tools & resources to help you make your healthcare decisions. https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/retirees
Contact the Plans
Phone numbers to contact the plans directly below. The HCA also has a much more detailed list of contacts for medical, dental, vision and more – click here to visit the HCA Contact the Plans page.
| Kaiser NW Senior Advantage | 1-800-813-2000 |
| Kaiser WA Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage | 1-888-901-4600 |
| Premera Plan G | 1-800-817-3049 |
| UnitedHealthcare PEBB Balance and PEBB Complete | 1-855-873-3268 |
| Uniform Medical Plan Classic Medicare with Part D (PDP) | 1-888-849-3681 |
Medicare Open Enrollment (Non-PEBB)
October 15 – December 7, 2025
These resources have been designed to help guide you through the decision-making process to select the health insurance that best suits your needs.
To help guide you through the process, we recommend reviewing the information provided below.
- Click here for the Medicare.gov Open Enrollment page
- Read the Medicare and You Handbook from Medicare.gov
- If you have any Medicare-related questions, reach out to the SHIBA advisors here.
- SHIBA’s Medicare counseling and events calendar
- Listen to our “RPEC On Air” podcast series on Medicare with SHIBA below.
- Visit the SHIBA Get Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment website here.
- Additional information can be found on our Healthcare Resources page.
Listen to our “RPEC On Air” podcast series on Medicare with SHIBA
2025 – Learn about your Medicare options on the commercial market in this RPEC-hosted webinar presented by our dear friend Tim Smolen, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program Manager and mediated by Healthcare Workgroup members Matt Groshong (Ch. 3, Workgroup chair) and Aruna Bhuta (Ch. 13).
The webinar will be held on November 7th at 10:00 AM. Video will be posted soon after. Register for this webinar here.
2025 – Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment – Tim Smolen, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program Manager, and our very own Matt Groshong, RPEC Healthcare Workgroup Chair and Ch. 3 President, have joined us once again to prepare you for the fast-approaching Medicare open enrollment period. In this special webcast, Tim unveils a new resource to help Medicare enrollees get ready for open enrollment in just 7 easy steps. Note: This podcast is also a video.
View Webinar PowerPoint here
Download the SHIBA Medicare Open Enrollment Jumpstart Toolkit.
2024 – Listen to our special podcast series all about Medicare Open Enrollment: RPEC On Medicare! Special guests Tim Smolen, SHIBA Program Manager, and Matt Groshong, Ch. 3 President and Healthcare Workgroup Chair, share their expertise.
RPEC On Medicare Part 1: Getting Started in Medicare – In part 1, we discuss getting ready for Medicare for those who are nearing retirement age. Tune in to learn about what you need to do, what your resources are, and why it’s so important to get everything right the first time.
RPEC On Medicare Part 2: Medicare on the Commercial Market – In part 2, we discuss Medicare options on the commercial market. Medicare open enrollment begins on Oct. 15, and there are big changes for 2025. Tune in to learn more about what you need to do so you can make the best choice for you.