According to the
recently released Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D landscape data, most Medicare beneficiaries across the country will have
more stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan choices.
In 2019, an average of
26 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will be offered in each state or
CMS PDP region,
an increase from the 2018 average number of
23 stand-alone PDPs.
When comparing with past years, there were an average of
34 stand-alone 2014 Medicare Part D plans, 31 stand-alone 2013 Medicare Part D plans, and, back in
2009 - an average of 49 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans offered (see chart below).
- The Highs -- Which states will have the most stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D plan choices?
In 2019, residents of
California.
Pennsylvania and
West Virginia will have
30
stand-alone Medicare Part D plan options. In 2018, residents of
Pennsylvania, and
West Virginia had the most stand-alone Medicare Part D plan choices with
26 plans offered.
- The Lows -- Which state will have the fewest stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D plan choices?
As was true in past years,
Alaska
Medicare beneficiaries will again have the smallest selection of 2019 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans with
22 PDP choices - an increase from
19 PDPs in 2018.
- Largest Changes -- Which states will have the greatest increase in stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D plan choices?
Florida will see the largest increase of stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in 2019,
gaining six (6) Medicare Part D PDP choices.
For more information, a detailed overview of the 2019 stand-alone Medicare Part D landscape data can be found at
PDP-Facts.com or in the
Q1Medicare.com PDP-Facts section with Part D plan summaries on a national and state level.
Please note that we will continue to update the Medicare Part D plan coverage details throughout the year as more information becomes available.
Reminder: No need to rush.
Medicare Part D plan carriers can start marketing their plans on
October 1st and the annual Medicare Part D annual Open Enrollment Period for 2019 Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans begins on
October 15th and continues through
December 7th, with 2019 Medicare plan coverage beginning on
January 1, 2019.
For more information, starting October 1
st, Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak with a Medicare representative, and learn more about their 2019 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.
A note about 2019 Medicare Advantage plans
The 2019 Medicare Advantage plan landscape summary will be presented separately in another article. The above information is from our Medicare Part D
plan landscape summaries and based only on stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (or PDPs).
A number of the 2019 Medicare Advantage plans may be available in your area and may include comprehensive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, along with Medicare Part A (hospitalization), Medicare Part B (out-patient and physician), and additional healthcare benefits (these Medicare plans are also called MAPD plans).
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