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Retiree medical coverage options

Information about medical coverage for retired King County employees.

If you retire before the age of 65, King County offers the following coverage options:

COBRA

Continue your current medical, dental, and vision coverage by paying monthly premiums. COBRA usually lasts up to 18 months.

Retiree Medical and Vision

If you are eligible for retirement with Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) or Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System, you can continue your current medical and vision coverage if you enroll within 60 days of retiring. You can continue medical and vision coverage until you become eligible for Medicare, typically at age 65. For medical and vision plan descriptions, see Benefits Summaries.

Retiree Dental

If you are eligible for retirement with DRS or Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System, you can enroll in the Retiree Dental Plan within 60 days of retiring. You can continue retiree dental coverage until age 99. For plan details, see Retiree Dental Benefit Booklet (744KB).

When you retire, you will receive enrollment materials from Navia Benefit Solutions for COBRA, Retiree Medical/Vision, and Retiree Dental plans. You can enroll in any combination of coverage under COBRA and retiree benefit plans. You must enroll within 60 days of your King County coverage ending or within 60 days your notification of coverage options by Navia Benefit Solutions, whichever occurs later. 

Costs

Rates may change from year to year.

  • Retiree Medical, Dental & Vision Rates - Retirees, please refer to your Retirement Benefits Guide
  • COBRA Rates - Retirees, please refer to your Retirement Benefits Guide
  • For a summary of your benefit options when you leave King County, see Continuing Your County Benefits (365KB).

Medical coverage options if you retire at the age of 65 or older:

Medicare

You become eligible for Medicare at age 65. For more information, go to the Medicare website.

Apply for Medicare Online 

Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. Medicare pays these companies to cover your Medicare Benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, wellness programs, and prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans

Regence BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente both offer group-sponsored retiree health plans to Medicare-eligible retired employees and their spouses.

Regence plan

The Regence MedAdvantage + Rx Classic (PPO) plan provides medical and prescription drug coverage and gives you access to in-network contracted providers throughout the United States, and urgent and emergent care while traveling abroad. This plan requires enrollment in both Parts A & B of Medicare.

For plan details, see the Summary of Benefits (3.6MB).

To enroll, call Regence at 844-734-3623, use the Enrollment Form (1.24MB), or enroll online.

Kaiser plan

The Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage (HMO) plan offers medical and prescription drug coverage and access to providers at Kaiser Permanente medical facilities in Washington. This plan requires enrollment in both Parts A & B of Medicare.

For plan details, see the Summary of Benefits (2.52MB).

To enroll, contact Kaiser at 877-404-8512, use the Enrollment Form (470KB), or enroll online.

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