Changes in stand-alone Medicare Part D PDP premiums from 2007 to 2022 - The Highs and Lows

In July 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) projected that the average 2022 basic monthly Part D premium should be around $33 per month - an increase of $2.50 from the 2021 projected average premium of $30.50.

And based on a preliminary analysis of only the 2022 stand-alone Part D plans, we found that the national average 2022 Medicare Part D premium (not considering plan enrollment) increased from $41.38 in 2021 to $47.55 in 2022, supporting the CMS projection that the monthly Medicare Part D plan premiums would increase slightly as compared to 2021.

We also found that the national average monthly 2022 Medicare Part D premium, weighted by the number of people currently enrolled in each plan, will increase to $43.19 a 15% increase over the 2021 weighted monthly premium of $37.54

Bottom Line:  This means that many current members of 2021 Part D plans can expect to see increases in their 2022 Part D plan premiums - unless they consider moving to a lower-premium 2022 Part D plan or Medicare Advantage plan.

You can read more about the average and average weighted national Medicare Part D premium in our article: "84% of the people currently enrolled in a 2021 stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan may see premium increases in 2022"

Please note, the average monthly premium in each state or Medicare region will vary from the national average and can be seen in our 2022 Medicare Part D plan analysis found at PDP-Facts.com (you can see state-specific summaries by clicking on your state abbreviation).

Here are a few highlights of the lowest and highest monthly Medicare Part D premiums across the country.

• The lowest-premium 2022 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans...
  

Colorado has the lowest monthly premium stand-alone 2022 Medicare Part D plan.  The Wellcare Value Script (PDP) will offer a monthly premium of $5.50 for Colorado residents.  The SilverScript SmartRx (PDP) will offer the lowest premium plan in all other states, with premiums ranging from $6.40 (in Arkansas and Louisiana) to $7.80 (in Hawaii).

• The lowest-premium 2022 stand-alone Medicare Part D plan - with a $0 deductible...
  

The 2022 Medicare Part D plan with the lowest monthly premium - and a $0 initial deductible - is the Wisconsin SilverScript Plus (PDP) plan, with a premium of $45.00 per month.  The 2022 SilverScript Plus (PDP) plan is the lowest-premium $0 deductible plan in many other states with premiums up to $68.20 in Texas. The Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Plus (PDP) is the lowest priced $0 deductible plan in many other states, ranging from $59.00 Arizona to between $68.30 and $69.00 in most other states.

• The 2022 stand-alone Medicare Part D plan with the highest premium...
  

The 2022 Medicare Part D plan with the highest monthly premium continues to be the BlueCross Rx Plus (PDP) in South Carolina at $207.20 as compared to last-year's premium of $205.30 per month.

The chart below shows how the low and high Medicare Part D premiums have varied over the past years.

For more information, please see our PDP-Facts.com/2022 for Medicare Part D premium highs and lows in your state.

Reminder: The annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP or Annual Election Period) for Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D drug plans begins on October 15 and continues through December 7.

Don't forget that your Medicare plan costs and coverage can change each year - so be sure to evaluate your plan options during the AEP.

If you or another Medicare beneficiary needs assistance understanding how your 2021 Medicare plan is changing in 2022 or to learn more about your 2022 Medicare plan coverage options, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and speak with a Medicare representative.