California vs Washington: Medicare Costs (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of Medicare spending, premiums, and healthcare coverage.
| Metric | California (CA) | Washington (WA) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Spending/Capita | $10,208 | $9,870 |
| Medicare Enrollees | 7,080,750 | 1,357,208 |
| Medicaid Enrollees | 9,524,332 | 1,842,945 |
| Part B Premium | $185/mo | $185/mo |
| Part D Premium (Avg) | $78/mo | $33/mo |
| Medigap Premium (Avg) | $132/mo | $129/mo |
| Medicaid Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured Rate | 7.9% | 3.0% |
Top Procedure Costs
| Procedure | California | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney Transplant | $143,424 | $148,949 | $-5,526 |
| Liver Transplant | $135,205 | $145,003 | $-9,797 |
| Heart Valve Replacement | $89,317 | $77,017 | +$12,300 |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) | $81,579 | $88,119 | $-6,540 |
| Spinal Fusion | $56,527 | $37,681 | +$18,846 |
| Total Knee Replacement | $39,016 | $40,403 | $-1,388 |
| Defibrillator Implantation (ICD) | $37,120 | $40,951 | $-3,830 |
| Total Hip Replacement | $32,614 | $26,825 | +$5,789 |
| Laminectomy | $28,474 | $32,194 | $-3,720 |
| Colectomy | $27,781 | $25,789 | +$1,992 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has higher Medicare spending, California or Washington?
California has higher Medicare spending at $10,208 per capita vs $9,870 in Washington.
Which state has a lower uninsured rate?
Washington has a lower uninsured rate of 3.0% compared to 7.9% in California.
Have both California and Washington expanded Medicaid?
California has expanded Medicaid. Washington has expanded Medicaid.