Q1Group 2018 Medicare PDP Analysis: Over 6 million people will see an increase of 20% or more in their 2018 Medicare Part D plan premiums

As was true in past years, many 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will be increasing their monthly premiums in 2018. In fact, based on current Medicare plan enrollment, around 12.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will see their stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D premiums increase in 2018.

More specifically, over 6 million Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in stand-alone 2017 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 2018.

Some of the largest 2018 Medicare Part D plan increases are highlighted in the table below:

Highlights of the Larger 2018 stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Premium Increases
2018 Plan Name	2017 Premiums	2018 Premiums	Premium Increase	Percent Increase	States	Members Affected
AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP)	Ranging from $57.50-$82.8	Ranging from $71.00-$94.50	up to $16.60	up to 25%	all states	900,806 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium
AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus (PDP)	Ranging from $22.20-$56.10	Ranging from $23.70-86.90	up to $19.90	up to 90%	most states	724,895 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium
Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure (PDP)	Ranging from $17.70-$60.10	Ranging from $83.50-$139.70	$0.90 $39.90	4% to 140%	all states	274,710 members will see at least a 20% increase in premium
Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure-Extra (PDP)	Ranging from $27.30-$50.60	Ranging from $45.20-$65.60	$15 to $22.30	30% to 66%	all states	All members (204,036) will see at least a 30% increase

You can use our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare tools to learn more about how 2017 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans are changing in 2018. Our PDP-Compare and MA-Compare show changes in all 2017/2018 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 2017 plans that will be merged, discontinued, or added in 2018.

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 2017 Medicare plan is still the most economical 2018 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.