MedicarePartD.guide

A non-government resource built from CMS public data

Q1Group 2018 PDP Analysis: 2007 to 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D premiums - The highs and lows

Annual Medicare plan changes · published Sep 30, 2017

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) designs and, based on the Medicare Part D plan provider bids, CMS reported that the average 2018 base monthly premium should be around $33.50 per month, a decrease of around $1.20 from the $34.70 actual average premium reported in 2017.

How does the CMS average base Medicare Part D premium compare to the actual 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs)?

Here are a few highlights featuring some of the highest and lowest monthly Medicare Part D premiums.
  • The lowest-premium 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans
The stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D plan with the lowest monthly premium continues to be the EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) at $12.60 per month in many states.  A decrease in premium from the 2017 premium of $14.60.

Please note, that although the EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) has the lowest 2018 premium in twenty (20) states, the Humana Walmart Rx Plan (PDP) will continue to be the lowest premium plan in fifteen (15) states across the country with a monthly premium of $20.40.  And the Aetna Medicare Rx Select (PDP) will be the lowest 2018 premium in thirteen (13) states with a premium between $16.70 and $19.70.

  • The lowest-premium 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D plan - with a $0 deductible
The 2018 Medicare Part D plan with the lowest monthly premium and a $0 initial deductible that is offered in most states is (once again) the SilverScript Choice (PDP) plan, with premiums starting at $16.40 per month in Arkansas.

However, the 2018 First Health Part D Value Plus plan is the lowest-premium $0 deductible plan in Alaska ($56.20) - and the Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure-Extra (PDP) is the lowest-premium $0 deductible PDP in Hawaii ($45.20) and Arizona ($53.00).

  • The 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans with the highest-premiums
The 2018 Medicare Part D plan with the highest monthly premium is the Texas Blue Cross MedicareRx Plus (PDP) at $197.10, compared last-year's 2017 Colorado Anthem Blue MedicareRx Premier (PDP) at $179.00 per month.

And for a bit of history, the chart below shows how the Low/High Medicare Part D premiums have varied over the past years.

Medicare Part D premium range - highs and lows
For more information, please see our PDP-Facts.com/2018 for Medicare Part D premium highs and lows in your state.

Reminder!
The annual Open Enrollment Period (or Annual Election Period) for Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D drug plans begins on October 15 and continues through December 7, 2017.  Don't forget that your Medicare plan costs and coverage can change each year - so be sure to ensure that you have chosen the most economic healthcare coverage.

If you or another Medicare beneficiary needs assistance understanding how your 2017 Medicare plan is changing or to learn more about your 2018 Medicare plan coverage options, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and speak with a Medicare representative.