For example, the 2016 Florida AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) plan qualified for the full-LIS $0 monthly premium. However, the same AARP Part D plan no longer qualifies for the $0 premium in 2017. Rather, the monthly premium for people with a 100% LIS benefit is $3.80.
And for more details: You can click here to read more about how to view the full (100% LIS) or partial LIS premiums for any Medicare Part D plan.
See the chart below for more 2017 prescription plans that no longer qualify for the $0 monthly premium in 2017, but did qualify in 2016.
As background: If you are qualified to receive Medicaid, then you automatically qualify for the Medicare Part D Extra Help program and the cost of your Medicare Part D premium will be covered up to a certain level – called your state’s Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Benchmark Premium.
For example, if you live in a state with a benchmark premium of $25, the Medicare Part D Extra Help program will pay for the premium up to this level (or slightly above) and you will have a $0 premium.
But if you monthly premium is over this $25 amount, you will be charged the additional cost over this benchmark. So, in our example, if you Medicare plan has a $30 monthly premium, you may be charged the $5 additional cost over your state's benchmark premium.
2017 LIS Benchmark Premiums: You can see a list of the 2017 Medicare Part D benchmark premiums for each state in our Blog: “2017 Low-Income Subsidy Benchmark Premium Amounts (includes 2017 - 2006 for comparison)” on this site
The good news is that, if you qualify for the full Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS or Extra Help), each year Medicare will automatically enroll you in a Medicare Part D plan that qualifies for your state’s $0 monthly premium.
However, you have the right to select your own Medicare Part D plan at any time during the plan year.
Important: If you select your own plan, Medicare considers you a "Chooser" and does not automatically change your enrollment for the next plan year -- even if your selected Medicare Part D plan no longer qualifies for the state’s full-LIS $0 monthly premium.
The good news is that since you do receive "Extra Help" you can change your Medicare Part D plan at any time throughout the year to a drug plan that does qualify for the $0 monthly premium (and covers all of your medication needs) and your new coverage will take effect on the first day of the month after your enrollment.
| Stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) No Longer Qualifying for the full-LIS (Extra Help) $0 Monthly Premium in 2017 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Plan Name | Full Premium | 100% Subsidy | 75% Subsidy | 50% Subsidy | 25% Subsidy |
| FL AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) | $32.90 | $3.80 | $11.10 | $18.30 | $25.60 |
| MI AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) | $40.20 | $6.00 | $14.60 | $23.10 | $31.70 |
| NV AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP) | $29.90 | $2.80 | $9.60 | $16.40 | $23.10 |
| AK Aetna Medicare Rx Saver (PDP) | $38.40 | $4.30 | $12.90 | $21.40 | $29.90 |
| TX Symphonix Value Rx (PDP) | $43.00 | $15.70 | $22.50 | $29.30 | $36.20 |
| GA Symphonix Value Rx (PDP) | $33.90 | $7.50 | $14.10 | $20.70 | $27.30 |
| CO Symphonix Value Rx (PDP) | $34.40 | $2.40 | $10.40 | $18.40 | $26.40 |
| MO Symphonix Value Rx (PDP) | $41.10 | $11.00 | $18.50 | $26.10 | $33.60 |
| AK Symphonix Value Rx (PDP) | $39.20 | $5.10 | $13.70 | $22.20 | $30.70 |
| CA EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) | $53.90 | $17.60 | $26.70 | $35.80 | $44.80 |
| NJ EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) | $47.30 | $6.50 | $16.70 | $26.90 | $37.10 |
| VA EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) | $37.40 | $4.90 | $13.00 | $21.10 | $29.30 |
| ME NH Magellan Rx Medicare Basic (PDP) | $38.30 | $5.30 | $13.60 | $21.80 | $30.10 |