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Latest Medicare News on Annual Medicare Plan Changes
Category: Annual Medicare Plan Changes
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• Changes are coming for 2019 Medicare Part D plans: A few highlights from the 2019 final CMS Call Letter and Final Rule
Seniors, Medicare plan providers, and caregivers can expect a few changes in the 2019 Medicare Part D program.  Below are a few highlights from the final 2019 Call Letter and a 1,156 page Medic . . .
• A preview of 2019: CMS releases the proposed 2019 Medicare Part D standard drug plan coverage parameters
On February 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Part II of the 2019 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter that included proposed defined standard benefits for 2019 Med . . .
• Looking toward 2019: CMS finalizes 2019 Medicare Part D standard drug plan coverage parameters
On April 2, 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 Rate Announcement and Call Letter that includes the finalized defined standard benefits for 2019 Medicare Pa . . .
• CMS releases finalized defined standard 2018 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage parameters
In early April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2018 Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter with the finalized defined standard benefits for 2018 Medicare Part D pre . . .
• 2017 CMS Press Release: "Medicare Issues Projected Drug Premiums for 2018"
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that average monthly Medicare Part D premiums will decrease slightly in 2018.  Based on the Medicare Part D plan carrier bids, . . .
• Drug Tiers: How drugs are organized on the 2015 Medicare Part D plan formularies
Medicare prescription drug plans organize covered medications into different logical categories or tiers -- each with a different co-payment or cost-sharing amount (for instance, you may have a $5 co- . . .
• A preview of 2018: CMS releases the proposed 2018 Medicare Part D standard drug plan coverage parameters
On February 1st, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2018 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter that included proposed defined standard benefits for 2018 Medicare Part . . .
• A preview into 2017: CMS releases finalized standard 2017 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage parameters
In April, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2017 Rate Announcement and Final Call Letter with the finalized defined standard benefits for 2017 Medicare Part D prescrip . . .
• Q1Group 2018 MA/MAPD Analysis: More 2018 Medicare Advantage plan choices, with increases in HMO and local PPO options
As noted in a recent press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the total number of 2018 Medicare Advantage plans will increase across the country with the availability . . .
• 2016 CMS Press release: "Medicare projects relatively stable average prescription drug premiums in 2017"
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that average monthly Medicare Part D premiums should remain relatively stable in 2017.  Based on the Medicare Part D plan c . . .
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• 12 reasons why you may be paying more for your 2019 Medicare prescription drug coverage
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs and MAPDs) can change every year and even if you stayed with your same plan from 2018, there are a number of possible reasons why you may be paying more . . .
• Preview Medicare Part D 2020: CMS releases the proposed 2020 Medicare Part D standard drug plan coverage parameters
On January 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released Part II of the 2020 Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter that included proposed defined standard benefits for 2020 Med . . .
• Q1Group 2019 PDP Analysis: Will your 2018 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan begin using preferred pharmacy pricing in 2019?
Each Medicare Part D plan has a national pharmacy network that includes 50,000 to 60,000+ pharmacies and both "preferred" and "standard" pharmacies are included in a Medicare prescription drug plan . . .
• Q1Group 2019 Drug Plan Analysis: Examples of how 2019 Medicare Part D plans can change prescription cost-sharing designs
As in past years, some 2018 Medicare Part D plans are changing their cost-sharing designs for 2019 prescription drug purchases.  For example, the Cigna-HealthSpring Rx Secure-Extra (PDP) will add . . .
• 2019 Medicare Drug Plan Analysis: Over 11 million Medicare beneficiaries will see at least 100 fewer medications on their 2019 Medicare Part D drug plan formulary
With each new plan year - and throughout the plan year - your Medicare Part D plan (PDP) or Medicare Advantage plan that provides prescription coverage (MAPD) can change their formulary or drug list, . . .
• Q1Group 2019 Medicare Part D Analysis: 613,285 people enrolled in a 2018 Medicare PDP will see an increase of 10% to 315% in their 2019 initial deductible
If your stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) - or Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage (MAPD) - has an initial deductible, you will usually pay 100% of your prescrip . . .
• 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, a . . .
• Q1Group 2019 Medicare Plan Analysis: Over 1.5 million members in non-renewing 2018 Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans may lose their 2019 Medicare plan coverage
Is your 2018 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan still being offered in 2019? Each year, Medicare plans have the option of not renewing their Medicare contract.  . . .
• How is your 2018 Medicare plan changing in 2019?
We want to remind you that, if you decide to stay with your current 2018 Medicare plan into 2019, your Medicare plan coverage and costs can (and usually do) change each year - so please take time to . . .
• Q1Group 2019 MA/MAPD Analysis Summary: Stable Medicare Advantage plan premiums, but beneficiaries in many counties will find significant changes in plan coverage and availability
A preliminary analysis of the 2019 Medicare Advantage plan (MA and MAPD) landscape data recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that Medicare beneficiaries ma . . .
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Tips & Disclaimers
  • The Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan data on our site comes directly from Medicare and is subject to change.
  • Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information on our site.
  • We provide our Q1Medicare.com site for educational purposes and strive to present unbiased and accurate information. However, Q1Medicare is not intended as a substitute for your lawyer, doctor, healthcare provider, financial advisor, or pharmacist. For more information on your Medicare coverage, please be sure to seek legal, medical, pharmaceutical, or financial advice from a licensed professional or telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
  • We are an independent education, research, and technology company. We are not affiliated with any Medicare plan, plan carrier, healthcare provider, or insurance company. We are not compensated for Medicare plan enrollments. We do not sell leads or share your personal information.
  • Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Our PDP-Compare.com and MA-Compare.com provide highlights of annual plan benefit changes.
  • The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.
  • Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.
  • We make every effort to show all available Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans in your service area. However, since our data is provided by Medicare, it is possible that this may not be a complete listing of plans available in your service area. For a complete listing please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
  • When enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
  • Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes may be required to pay both a Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Read more on IRMAA.
  • Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) are considered Medicare Part D plans and members with higher incomes may be subject to the Medicare Part D Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), just as members in stand-alone Part D plans. In certain situations, you can appeal IRMAA.
  • You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Members may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan only during specific times of the year. Contact the Medicare plan for more information.
  • If you are enrolled in a Medicare plan with Part D prescription drug coverage, you may be eligible for financial Extra Help to assist with the payment of your prescription drug premiums and drug purchases. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov; the Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or your state Medicaid Office.
  • Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
  • A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan (PFFS) is not a Medicare supplement plan. Providers who do not contract with the plan are not required to see you except in an emergency.
  • Disclaimer for Institutional Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who meets the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) level of care and resides in a nursing home.
  • Disclaimer for Dual Eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.
  • Disclaimer for Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (SNP): This plan is available to anyone with Medicare who has been diagnosed with the plan specific Chronic Condition.
  • Medicare MSA Plans combine a high deductible Medicare Advantage Plan and a trust or custodial savings account (as defined and/or approved by the IRS). The plan deposits money from Medicare into the account. You can use this money to pay for your health care costs, but only Medicare-covered expenses count toward your deductible. The amount deposited is usually less than your deductible amount, so you generally have to pay out-of-pocket before your coverage begins.
  • Medicare MSA Plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you join a Medicare MSA Plan, you can also join any separate (stand-alone) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
  • There are additional restrictions to join an MSA plan, and enrollment is generally for a full calendar year unless you meet certain exceptions. Those who disenroll during the calendar year will owe a portion of the account deposit back to the plan. Contact the plan provider for additional information.
  • Medicare beneficiaries may enroll through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
  • Medicare beneficiaries can file a complaint with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day/7 days or using the medicare.gov site. Beneficiaries can appoint a representative by submitting CMS Form-1696.
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