Medicare Blog

how to compare medicare drug plans for 2020

by Ms. Athena Pfeffer II Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Visit www.medicare.gov on the web. Select "Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans." Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Full Answer

What is the best way to compare Medicare plans?

  • How many states in which they provide coverage
  • Lowest costs available in terms of monthly premiums and copays (though they vary from plan to plan)
  • The types of benefits they can offer (though it varies from plan to plan)
  • How the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ranked their plans, using an average to represent the company as a whole

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How to find the best Medicare Part D drug plan?

Why you should compare Medicare Part D plans

  • The plan provides coverage for all your prescription drugs.
  • You’ve evaluated the copayment and coinsurance costs for your prescription drugs.
  • You’ve weighed your options between a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) as a supplement to Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MAPD).

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How to compare Medicare Advantage plans?

What You Should Know

  1. In 2022, there are more than 3,800 Medicare Advantage Plans for Americans to choose from — more than any previous year.
  2. Choosing the right plan requires a careful comparison of costs and how often you expect to need the benefits.
  3. All Medicare Advantage Plans are required to have an annual limit on out-of-pocket costs. ...

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What is the best Medicare Choice?

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How do you compare drug plans?

Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare to find and compare plans. If you: Take specific drugs, look at drug plans that include your drugs on their formulary (a list of prescription drugs covered by a drug plan). Then, compare costs.

Which Medicare Part D plan is best?

Best-rated Medicare Part D providersRankMedicare Part D providerMedicare star rating for Part D plans1Kaiser Permanente4.92UnitedHealthcare (AARP)3.93BlueCross BlueShield (Anthem)3.94Humana3.83 more rows•Mar 16, 2022

What is the best Medicare Part D plan for 2022?

The 5 Best Medicare Part D Providers for 2022Best in Ease of Use: Humana.Best in Broad Information: Blue Cross Blue Shield.Best for Simplicity: Aetna.Best in Number of Medications Covered: Cigna.Best in Education: AARP.

What is the best way to compare Medicare Advantage plans?

The Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov is currently the most comprehensive tool for comparing Medicare Advantage plan benefits, prescription drug coverage and costs.

What is the cost of Medicare Part D for 2022?

Part D. The average monthly premium for Part coverage in 2022 will be $33, up from $31.47 this year. As with Part B premiums, higher earners pay extra (see chart below). While not everyone pays a deductible for Part D coverage — some plans don't have one — the maximum it can be is $480 in 2022 up from $445.

Who has the cheapest Part D drug plan?

Recommended for those who Although costs vary by ZIP Code, the average nationwide monthly premium for the SmartRx plan is only $7.08, making it the most affordable Medicare Part D plan this carrier offers.

Is GoodRx better than Medicare Part D?

GoodRx can also help you save on over-the-counter medications and vaccines. GoodRx prices are lower than your Medicare copay. In some cases — but not all — GoodRx may offer a cheaper price than what you'd pay under Medicare. You won't reach your annual deductible.

Are all Medicare Part D plans the same?

All Medicare drug coverage must give at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. However, plans offer different combinations of coverage and cost sharing. Plans offering Medicare drug coverage may differ in the drugs they cover, how much you have to pay, and which pharmacies you can use.

Is SilverScript a good drug plan?

All of Aetna's PDPs have a Medicare star quality rating of 3.5 out of five stars. CVS/Aetna's SilverScript Smart RX plan has the lowest average monthly premium in 2022, and CVS is one of four main providers of stand-alone Part D prescription drug plans in the United States.

Who has the highest rated Medicare Advantage plan?

Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare earn the highest rankings among the national carriers in many states. Overall, Aetna Medicare ranks the best in the most (23) states. That said, there is no single “best plan.” Your needs and preferences will determine the best choice for you.

What is the biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.

What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement are different types of Medicare coverage. You cannot have both at the same time. Medicare Advantage bundles Part A and B often with Part D and other types of coverage. Medicare Supplement is additional coverage you can buy if you have Original Medicare Part A and B.

How much is Medicare deductible for 2020?

With this option, you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of $2,340 in 2020 ($2,370 in 2021) before your policy pays anything. (Plans C and F aren't available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.)

What is coinsurance in Medicare?

Coinsurance is usually a percentage (for example, 20%). The amount you must pay for health care or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your prescription drug plan, or your other insurance begins to pay. (unless the Medigap policy also pays the deductible).

What states have Medigap policies?

In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Medigap policies are standardized in a different way. Each insurance company decides which Medigap policies it wants to sell, although state laws might affect which ones they offer. Insurance companies that sell Medigap policies:

What is covered benefits?

benefits. The health care items or services covered under a health insurance plan. Covered benefits and excluded services are defined in the health insurance plan's coverage documents. but some offer additional benefits, so you can choose which one meets your needs.

Where do you live in Medigap?

You live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin. If you live in one of these 3 states, Medigap policies are standardized in a different way. You live in Massachusetts. You live in Minnesota. You live in Wisconsin.

Do insurance companies have to offer every Medigap plan?

Insurance companies that sell Medigap policies: Don't have to offer every Medigap plan. Must offer Medigap Plan A if they offer any Medigap policy. Must also offer Plan C or Plan F if they offer any plan.

Does Medicare cover Part B?

As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to new people with Medicare aren't allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F are not available to people new to Medicare starting on January 1, 2020.

What Does Medicare Part D Cover?

Before 2006, there was no meaningful prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Part D was created in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 to help offset the cost of prescription drugs.

How Do You Get Medicare Part D?

There are two ways to get your prescription drug coverage through Medicare. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you have to buy a standalone Part D plan.

Did the Medicare Part D Donut Hole Close in 2020?

Technically, the donut hole is closed, but you still pay for prescription drugs if you hit the coverage gap.

Using the Medicare Part D Plan Finder 2020

When you’re ready to compare Medicare Part D plans, there are several things you should keep in mind:

Compare Medicare Part D Plans 2020

Most insurers release new plans and change-of-coverage notices in the fall for the upcoming plan year. The 2020 plans are generally listed in Part D plan finder tools by October, so you should already have access to the most current information for this year when you’re ready to shop.

How much is the deductible for Medicare 2020?

The deductible is what you spend for your drugs before your plan begins to pay. In 2020, no Medicare drug plan is allowed to charge a deductible of more than $435. There are some plans that don’t charge a deductible.

How much does Medicare Part D cost?

Depending on the Medicare Part D plan you choose, you’ll pay a premium every month. The basic cost for the minimum Part D plan in 2020 is $32.74 each month. However, plans with additional coverage will be more expensive.

When is open enrollment for Medicare Part D?

The Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D drug plans is from October 15 to December 7 every year. This is the time you should enroll. If you decide to enroll outside this period of time, you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

Do you have to pay coinsurance for Medicare Part D?

You pay your share, and your Medicare Part D plan will pay its share for covered drugs.

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