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Premera vs Aetna (First Health Life & Health) Medigap in Washington
By Vadim Marusin, licensed Medicare insurance agent in Washington (WAOIC #1365574). Insurer data checked against the state chart current as of October 8, 2026.
A fact-by-fact comparison of the two insurers' Washington Medicare Supplement line-ups, from the state-approved chart. No rankings, no premiums: just what each sells, where and on what terms.
Side by side
| Premera | Aetna (First Health Life & Health) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name on the state chart | Premera Blue Cross | First Health Life & Health |
| Parent or brand | an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association | an Aetna company (CVS Health); its policies are sold as Aetna Medicare Supplement |
| Plans sold in Washington | A, G, HD-G, N, C | A, B, G, N, F |
| Counties | 38 of 39 | All 39 |
| High-deductible plans | HD-G | None |
| Medicare SELECT | No | No |
| Sells to people under 65 | No | No |
| Health questions outside protected periods | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-existing condition waiting period | Up to 3 months | None |
| Membership required | No | No |
| Current WA rates effective | April 1, 2026 | October 1, 2026 |
Where they differ
Only Premera sells high-deductible Plan G and Plan C. Only Aetna (First Health Life & Health) sells Plan B and Plan F. Premera sells in 38 counties and Aetna (First Health Life & Health) in 39; they overlap in 38. Aetna (First Health Life & Health) shows no pre-existing condition waiting period on the state chart; the other may apply one of up to three months.
Where each one sells
- Who sells here
- Neither
- Only Aetna
- Only Premera
- Both
Plans you can compare head to head
| Benefit | A | G | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance, plus 365 extra hospital days after Medicare benefits end | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copay | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B coinsurance or copay (the 20%) | 100% | 100% | 100%* |
| Medicare preventive care Part B coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| First 3 pints of blood | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | – | 100% | 100% |
| Part A deductible | – | 100% | 100% |
| Part B deductible | – | – | – |
| Part B excess charges | – | 100% | – |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | – | 80% | 80% |
| Yearly out-of-pocket limit | – | – | – |
How to decide
- Pick your plan letter first; see choosing a plan.
- Check both sell it in your county.
- Get current premiums from both, plus household and bank-draft discounts.
- Ask each about recent rate increases; see rate increases in Washington.
- Remember you can switch later: Washington's switching rule covers Plans B through N.
Insurer pages: Premera Blue Cross · First Health Life & Health · All comparisons
Common questions
Is Premera or Aetna (First Health Life & Health) better for Medigap in Washington?
For any plan letter both sell, the benefits are the same. Compare current premiums, recent rate increases and discounts in your county. Both sell Plan A, Plan G, and Plan N.
Do Premera and Aetna (First Health Life & Health) both sell Plan G in Washington?
Premera: yes. Aetna (First Health Life & Health): yes.
Can I switch from Premera to Aetna (First Health Life & Health)?
If you have Medigap Plan B through N, Washington lets you switch to another insurer's Plan B through N at any time with no health questions.