Q1Group 2019 Medicare PDP Analysis: Over 4.5 million people will see an increase of 20% or more in their 2019 Medicare Part D plan premiums

As was true in past years, many 2018 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will be increasing their monthly premiums in 2019. In fact, based on current Medicare plan enrollment, around 13.2 million Medicare beneficiaries will see their stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D premiums increase in 2019.

More specifically, over 4.5 million Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in stand-alone 2018 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) will see at least a 20% increase in their monthly premium if they stay enrolled in their current plan into 2019.

Some of the largest 2019 Medicare Part D plan increases are highlighted in the table below:

Highlights of the Larger 2019 stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Premium Increases
2019 Plan Name	2018 Premiums	2019 Premiums	Premium Increase	Percent Increase	States	Members Affected
Blue Cross MedicareRx Basic (PDP)	Ranging from $18.90-$26.40	Ranging from $30.70-$49.70	up to $30.80	up to 163%	NM IL OK TX	139,002 members will see at least a 31% premium increase. Members in NM will see a 163% premium increase
Humana Walmart Rx Plan (PDP)	Ranging from $18.40-$20.40	Ranging from $22.20-35.70	up to $15.30	up to 75%	all states	2,287,638 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium
First Health Part D Value Plus (PDP) crosswalked to the Aetna Medicare Rx Value Plus (PDP)	$66.70	$114.80	48.10	72%	OK	8,183 members
SilverScript Choice (PDP)	Ranging from $16.40-$53.30	Ranging from $23.20-$49.50	up to $8.40	up to 41%	13 states	1,913,372 members in 13 states will see at least a 20% increase

Good News for Some Members:
Approximately 6.2 million Medicare beneficiaries will see a decrease in their 2019 Medicare Part D plan premium. The largest decrease is the California EnvisionRxPlus plan where the premium will fall from $50.00 in 2018 to $12.90 in 2019.

You can use our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare tools to learn more about how 2018 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans are changing in 2019. Our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare show changes in all 2018/2019 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans (MAs or MAPDs) across the country and include changes in plan features such as premium, deductible, cost-sharing and formulary size changes.

Our Medicare plan compare tools also highlight 2018 plans that will be merged or discontinued in 2019 and new plans that will be added in 2019.

Reminder: If you are using several brand-name medications or an expensive specialty medication, your monthly Medicare plan premiums may not be a significant part of your annual medication costs. Be sure to consider the entire cost of your drug coverage when choosing a Medicare plan: premiums, co-payments, co-insurance, Donut Hole coverage, and Catastrophic Coverage.

Not sure whether your 2018 Medicare plan is still the most economical 2019 plan option?
Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak with a Medicare representative, and learn more about Medicare plan coverage and their 2018 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.