As background, the standard or model CMS 2018 Medicare Part D plan includes a $405 initial deductible (as compared to the standard $400 initial deductible in 2017 Medicare Part D plans) and many stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) will follow this CMS standard Medicare Part D plan design - although, 2018 initial deductible can range from $35 to $405.
As a state-specific example, of the 23 stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D plans available in Ohio, 14 plans will have an initial deductible ranging from $300 to $405, and 9 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will have a $0 initial deductible. You can see our PDP-Facts.com/2018 for Medicare Part D premium information in your state.
How many stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D plans will have the $405 standard Initial Deductible?
Approximately 48% of all 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans (403 of the 782 PDPs) will have a $405 initial deductible (or more specifically, of all the 2018 PDPs having an initial deductible (491 PDPs), 82% will have the standard deductible of $405). In comparison, approximately 76% of all 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans (466 of the 746 PDPs) have a $400 standard initial deductible.**
The $0 initial deductible Medicare Part D plan losing favor over time.
Although there are slightly more 2018 Medicare Part D plans available with a $0 initial deductible, there is actually a smaller percentage of $0 deductible 2018 Medicare Part D plans offered when compared to the total number of stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D plans.
In fact, according to our calculations, only 37% of all 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will offer a $0 initial deductible (as compared to 38% of the 2017 Medicare Part D plans - and looking way back, compared to 60% of 2007 PDPs that had a $0 deductible).**
Here is a chart showing the changes of Medicare Part D plan designs since 2007 with fewer Medicare Part D plans now offering a $0 initial deductible.
** Please note that we are not considering Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) in U.S. Territories or Puerto Rico.
2018 Medicare Part D plans with some Formulary Tiers excluded from the Initial Deductible
As was true in 2017, a number of stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D plans having an initial
deductible should exclude some of their formulary tiers from the initial deductible and provide
immediate coverage for these drugs, even though the initial deductible is not met. For example, your Medicare Part D plan may have a $405 initial deductible, but your Tier 1 and Tier 2 formulary drugs are excluded from the deductible, meaning you do not need to pay the $405 before getting coverage for these lower-costing drugs.
For example, the 2017 Humana Walmart Rx Plan has a $400 initial deductible with some of the generic formulary medications excluded from the deductible. How does this work? This means that, if you were still within your $400 initial deductible and purchase a medication such as Atorvastatin Calcium (generic Lipitor (r)), you would not pay full retail price, but would instead be charged only a copayment for this generic medication (when purchased at one of the Medicare Part D plan’s preferred network pharmacy -- such as a Walmart pharmacy). And as always, if your Medicare Part D plan’s cost-sharing is more than your drug’s retail price, then you pay the lesser retail price (you never pay more than your negotiated retail price).
Reminder: Your Medicare plan costs and coverage can (and probably will) change each year.
If you are interested in changing your Medicare plan enrollment, 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.
Not sure where to begin?
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.