Languages spoken in Washington
Washington's older adults speak many languages besides English, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Ukrainian, Korean, Tagalog, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Khmer, Somali and Pacific Islander languages such as Marshallese, Samoan and Tongan. If English isn't your first language, you have the right to Medicare information and health care in a language you understand, and the resources below can help.
Medicare resources in your language
1-800-MEDICARE
Medicare's customer service line (1-800-633-4227) provides interpreters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. Tell the representative your preferred language and ask for an interpreter. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Medicare.gov
Medicare's website is available in Spanish at es.medicare.gov (use "Español" on any page). You can also set your Medicare.gov account to Spanish to get emails from Medicare, your Medicare Summary Notices and the Medicare & You handbook in Spanish.
Social Security
Social Security, which handles Medicare enrollment, provides interpreters at no cost. Call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for an interpreter, by phone or at a local office.
Apple Health (Medicaid)
The Health Care Authority offers language help, including interpreters and translated materials, at no cost to Apple Health clients. Call HCA at 1-800-562-3022 (TRS 711). For a health care appointment, tell your provider you need an interpreter when you schedule; the provider arranges a spoken or sign language interpreter, in person, by phone or by video. PEBB retirees can get language help at 1-800-200-1004. See Apple Health and Medicare.
Translated Medicare publications
Medicare publishes core booklets, such as Medicare & You and Choosing a Medigap Policy, in Spanish and some other languages. At medicare.gov/publications, choose your language from the drop-down list to see what's available, then download or order a copy.
Language help from Medicare plans
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Washington must:
- Offer interpreters on their customer service lines
- Translate required materials into any language that is the main language of at least 5% of the people in the plan's service area, and send them to you in that language on a standing basis or in an accessible format when you ask
- Tell you, in the 15 languages most often spoken in Washington, that language help is available at no cost (a federal civil rights rule for health programs that receive federal funds)
Some plan provider directories list the languages a doctor's office speaks. When you compare plans, ask about language support for your community. A licensed insurance agent can help you check this for plans from the companies they work with.
Cultural and linguistic competency in providers
Beyond language access, finding providers who understand your cultural background can improve your care. Ways to find them:
- Community health centers in immigrant neighborhoods
- Ethnic community organizations and faith communities
- Plan provider directories (some list the languages providers speak)
- Word-of-mouth referrals through community networks
Spanish pages on this site
Our guides are also available in Spanish, with the same Washington information as the English pages. Go to the Spanish home page, or use the EN | ES switch at the top of any page.
Your right to an interpreter
Under federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, health care providers and plans that receive federal funds generally must provide language help, such as interpreters, at no cost to you. If you need an interpreter, ask for one. If you are refused, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, and Apple Health clients can also contact HCA.
Citizenship and Medicare eligibility
You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to have Medicare, but your immigration status matters. A 2025 federal law (Public Law 119-21, section 71201) limits Medicare to U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people living in the U.S. under a Compact of Free Association. People already enrolled who aren't in one of those groups lose Medicare in January 2027, after notice from Social Security. Lawful permanent residents who don't qualify through work and buy Part A or Part B generally must have lived in the U.S. for 5 years in a row. If you're nearing 65, check your eligibility with Social Security well before your birthday so you can avoid late enrollment penalties; see Medicare eligibility in Washington.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Get Medicare information in other languages
- Medicare.gov — Publications (language selection)
- Social Security — Multilanguage gateway (interpreter services)
- Washington Health Care Authority — Language access
- Washington Health Care Authority — Interpreter services (clients)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.2267, Required materials and content (translation of required materials)
- eCFR — 42 CFR 422.111, Disclosure requirements (call center interpreter standards)
- eCFR — 45 CFR 92.11, Notice of availability of language assistance services
- HHS Office for Civil Rights — Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
- 42 U.S.C. 1395mmm (Social Security Act § 1899C, added by Public Law 119-21 § 71201) — Limiting Medicare coverage to certain individuals
- eCFR — 42 CFR 407.10, Eligibility to enroll in Part B (5-year residence rule)
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare provide interpreter services?
Yes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and ask for an interpreter, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Health care providers and plans that take federal funds generally must offer language help at no cost to you.
Does this site have Medicare information in Spanish?
Yes. Our pages are available in Spanish at washingtonmedicare.org/es/, with the same Washington information as the English pages. Medicare's own website is also available in Spanish at es.medicare.gov.
Can I get help from my Medicare plan in my language?
Yes. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must offer interpreters on their customer service lines and translate required materials into any language that is the main language of at least 5% of people in the plan's service area. Under federal civil rights rules, they must also tell you, in the languages most often spoken in Washington, that language help is available at no cost. Plan provider directories may list the languages a doctor's office speaks.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to have Medicare?
No, but your immigration status matters. Under a 2025 federal law, Medicare is limited to U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people living in the U.S. under a Compact of Free Association. Lawful permanent residents who buy Part A or Part B, rather than qualifying through work, generally must have lived in the U.S. for 5 years in a row. Ask Social Security about your situation.
Where can I get Medicare booklets in my language?
Medicare.gov/publications lets you choose a language from a drop-down list to find booklets available in that language, and Medicare & You and your Medicare Summary Notices can be sent in Spanish if you set your Medicare.gov account language.
Medicare in your Washington county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam · Clark · Columbia · Cowlitz · Douglas · Ferry · Franklin · Garfield · Grant · Grays Harbor · Island · Jefferson · King · Kitsap · Kittitas · Klickitat · Lewis · Lincoln · Mason · Okanogan · Pacific · Pend Oreille · Pierce · San Juan · Skagit · Skamania · Snohomish · Spokane · Stevens · Thurston · Wahkiakum · Walla Walla · Whatcom · Whitman · Yakima
