UnitedHealthcare’s AARP plans offer the best value for the price
Through an impartial evaluation process, we give our recommendations for the best items, and we are not influenced by ads. If you visit partners we recommend, we might get paid. For more information, see our advertiser disclosure.
Prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D is an option made available by private insurance providers. You must have Medicare Part A, Part B, or certain Medicare Advantage plans without drug coverage to be eligible for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP). You must enroll in Part D insurance within five months of turning 65 or within nine months of becoming eligible for initial enrollment to avoid paying a late enrollment fee (unless you have a disability or have coverage through your employer).
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
We carefully weighed premiums, deductibles, copays, maximum out-of-pocket costs, and prescription coverage in the Medicare coverage gap to select the top Medicare Part D plans. In addition, we assessed scores from other sources, such as Medicare star ratings.
Best Medicare Part D Plans of 2023
- Best Overall: AARP / UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D
- Best for Lowest Premiums: Aetna Medicare Part D
- Highest Medicare Star Rating with Nationwide Availability: Humana Medicare Part D
- Great for $0 Copays: Cigna Medicare Part D
BEST OVERALLAARP / UnitedHealthcare Medicare Part D
Pros
- Plans that are quite affordable, especially if you fill your prescriptions at Walgreens
- Medicare star rating that is above average
- Free mail delivery for numerous medicine 90-day supply
- Additional Medicare-gap coverage
Cons
- Deductibles are lower under other plans.
Why We Chose It
Whether you select a low premium or low deductible plan, United Healthcare’s AARP PDPs offer a terrific value when compared to comparable plans. The AARP MedicareRx Walgreens plan from UnitedHealthcare is a fantastic choice if you use largely generic medications and have access to a Walgreens pharmacy because it has a cheap premium, zero copays, and no deductible for Tier 1 medications. Additionally, starting in 2023, UHC began to provide plans with extra coverage for the Medicare donut hole.
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
With an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, an average CMS star rating of 3.8 for its prescription medication plans, and an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars by the NCQA, the company has relatively high third-party ratings. Our choice for the best Medicare Advantage plan and the best Medicare Supplement plan is UnitedHealthcare. Washington, D.C., and all of the United States are covered by UHC.
BEST FOR LOWEST PREMIUMS
Aetna Medicare Part D
Pros
- Among all PDP suppliers, has the lowest national average premium
- During the Medicare «donut hole,» additional medication coverage
- Delivers free prescriptions to homes
- AM Best rates your financial strength as A (Excellent).
Cons
- Compared to several other insurers, lower customer satisfaction scores
Why We Chose It
Out of all the 2023 available PDPs, Aetna has the lowest average premium. And more of its plans than any other significant provider offer extra drug coverage during the Medicare donut hole. So, whether you need extensive prescription coverage or a cheap plan «just in case,» Aetna undoubtedly has what you’re searching for. The business is additionally ranked above average by the NCQA.
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
Three SilverScript plans are provided by Aetna. You can decide on a high deductible and cheap premium, or vice versa. The SmartSaver plan offers the highest copays but an average monthly premium of $5.92. Despite having a larger premium, the SilverScript Plus plan includes a $0 deductible and additional $0 copays, including for the coverage gap. SilverScript Choice is a middle ground between the two. There is countrywide coverage.
HIGHEST MEDICARE STAR RATING WITH NATIONWIDE AVAILABILITY
Humana Medicare Part D
Pros
- An average CMS star rating of 4
- Plans with low costs and no deductibles are available for several generics
- Free postal delivery and numerous generic medications with certain insurance; no copayment
Cons
- Access may be restricted in some locations by the pharmacy network.
Why We Chose It
The average Medicare star rating from the CMS for Humana, which offers PDP plans across the US, is 4 out of 5. In comparison to organizations with plans that are ranked lower, this shows that Humana members have had better experiences with their plans. And for 2023, Humana offers a huge number of supplementary plans with extra prescription coverage for the Medicare coverage gap. Three different plan types are available from the company: Humana Basic Rx Plan, Humana Walmart Value Rx Plan, and Humana Premier Rx Plan. Only the premier version of these provides extra prescription coverage for the Medicare gap. Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescription deductibles are zero dollars under the Walmart Value and Premier plans.
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
But before enrolling, confirm that you have access to the Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Costco, and Albertsons pharmacies that are part of Humana’s preferred pharmacy network. Outside of this network, prescriptions are more expensive.
GREAT FOR $0 COPAYS
Cigna Medicare Part D
Pros
- Low or no copays are available for several generic drugs.
- The deductible for many generic drugs is zero.
- There are numerous plans with extra drug coverage in the Medicare gap.
- Offers discounts on some services that are not covered
- Free prescription home delivery is available for many medications’ 90-day supply.
Cons
- Lower star ratings for Medicare and NCQA compared to rivals
Why We Chose It
Though the rates aren’t as inexpensive, Cigna provides three different plans, each of which has a $0 deductible and low or no copays on the majority of generic drugs. The Cigna Extra Rx plan provides additional coverage in the gap and low drug deductibles, just like Aetna’s SilverScript Plus Plan. If you take a lot of generic prescriptions and would want to pay a higher premium with no or little copays and a very low deductible, Cigna is a fantastic alternative. If you require more gap coverage, it’s an excellent choice as well. Always check your plan’s costs for your medications as each insurance provider has a different formulary.
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
The benefits of Cigna’s plans include discounts on services like LASIK, Gaiam yoga gear, and acupuncture as well as the availability of most drugs in 90-day supplies with free home delivery. PDPs from Cigna are accessible in all 50 states.
Final Verdict
The prescriptions you use and the most practical pharmacies will be key factors in determining which plan is ideal for you. But Aetna will probably be your best option if you rarely or never take prescription drugs and want to avoid the late enrollment fine. Depending on which pharmacies you prefer, choose either UnitedHealthcare or Humana if you mostly use generic medications and don’t want additional gap coverage. Aetna and Cigna both sell plans that are worth taking a look at if you require supplementary coverage during the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Medicare Part D?
A sort of insurance called Medicare Part D aids with the cost of your prescription drugs. It is made available to persons who already have Original Medicare or specific Medicare Advantage plans without medication coverage by commercial insurance firms.
A list of the common prescription pharmaceuticals that all plans must cover can be found in the insurance provider’s formulary. There are tiers in each formulary that specify how much you’ll have to pay for certain prescription drug types. For instance, generic prescriptions are frequently less expensive and at a lower tier than brand-name medications.
How Much Is Medicare Part D?
For 2023, an entry-level Medicare Part D plan will cost an average of $31.50 per month. There are, however, considerably more affordable options; Aetna’s SilverScript SmartSaver PDP has a monthly average cost of just $5.92. 1 But you’ll have expenses in addition to your monthly premium. You’ll pay copays and coinsurance payments for prescriptions, and the majority of plans have a deductible before your insurance coverage begins. It’s important to compare prices because these can vary greatly based on the formulary of the company and the particular plan. Copays and deductibles are typically cheaper for plans with higher premiums than vice versa.
What Is the Medicare Donut Hole or Coverage Gap?
When you and your plan have spent $4,660 on prescription drug expenditures in 2023, you and your plan enter a time of limited insurance coverage known as the Medicare «donut hole.» You are obliged to pay up to 25% of the price of brand-name and generic medications out-of-pocket during the coverage gap. The coverage gap will end once you have paid $7,400 out of pocket in 2023, at which point you’ll move into the catastrophic coverage phase and just have to pay a minimal copay or coinsurance amount for the remainder of the year. Some insurance policies provide extra coverage during the gap period, which can substantially lower prices.
Encuentre planes de Medicare en 3 sencillos pasos
Podemos ayudarlo a obtener planes de Medicare con primas mensuales de hasta $0
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, significant changes will be coming for Medicare beneficiaries in the upcoming years. The catastrophic phase will no longer include coinsurance beginning in 2024, and the out-of-pocket maximum for prescription coverage will increase to $2,000 in 2025.
What Does Medicare Part D Cover?
Your insurance provider’s formulary, which is a list of prescriptions that are covered, is a list of the medications that are covered by your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The majority of formularies have four to six levels, and depending on the tier your medication is in and which Medicare Part D coverage phase you are in, your copayment will change. Tier 1 pharmaceuticals are usually generics, which are the most affordable medications, while more expensive upper tiers contain specialized and non-preferred brand-name medications. Each formulary varies slightly. Insurance companies also provide discounts on insulin as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act, keeping your copay at $35.
