As was
true in past years, many 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part
D prescription drug plans will be increasing their monthly premiums in 2018. In fact, based on current Medicare plan enrollment, around
12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will see their stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D premiums increase in 2018.
More specifically, over
6 million Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (
PDPs) will see
at least a 20% increase in their monthly premium if they stay enrolled in their current plan into 2018.
Some of the largest 2018 Medicare Part D plan increases are highlighted in the table below:
Highlights of the Larger 2018 stand-alone Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan
Premium Increases
|
2018 Plan Name |
2017
Premiums |
2018
Premiums |
Premium Increase |
Percent Increase |
States |
Members Affected |
AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP) |
Ranging from
$57.50-$82.8 |
Ranging from
$71.00-$94.50 |
up to
$16.60 |
up to 25% |
all states |
900,806 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium |
AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) |
Ranging from $22.20-$56.10 |
Ranging from $23.70-86.90 |
up to $19.90 |
up to 90% |
most states |
724,895 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium |
Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure (PDP) |
Ranging from $17.70-$60.10 |
Ranging from $83.50-$139.70 |
$0.90 $39.90 |
4% to 140% |
all states |
274,710 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium |
Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure-Extra (PDP) |
Ranging from $27.30-$50.60 |
Ranging from $45.20-$65.60 |
$15 to $22.30 |
30% to 66% |
all states |
All members (204,036) will see at least a 30% increase
|
You can use our
PDP-Compare
and
MA-Compare
tools to learn more about how 2017 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans are changing in 2018. Our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare show changes in all 2017/2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
(PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans (MAs or MAPDs) across the country and include changes in
plan features such as premium, deductible, cost-sharing and formulary
size changes.
Our Medicare plan compare tools also highlight 2017 plans that will be
merged,
discontinued, or
added in 2018.
Reminder: If you are using several brand-name
medications or an
expensive specialty medication,
your monthly Medicare plan premiums may not be a significant
part of your annual medication costs. Be sure to consider the entire
cost of your drug coverage when choosing a Medicare plan: premiums,
co-payments, co-insurance, Donut Hole coverage, and Catastrophic
Coverage.
Not sure whether your 2017 Medicare plan is still the most economical 2018 plan option?
Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak
with a Medicare representative, and learn more about Medicare plan
coverage and their 2018 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan
options.