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Latest Medicare News on Annual Medicare plan changes
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Category: Annual Medicare plan changes
Back To News Home . Browse All (127) Items in Category
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• 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 ...
• 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 ...
• Why do my medications cost more in the new plan year when I did not change Medicare plans?
You many have had the experience of picking up your refills at the beginning of the new Medicare Part D plan year only to experience a increase in your costs.  There can be a number of reasons ...
• A short preview of 2016 standard Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the defined standard benefits for 2016 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage and a chart comparing the standard benefit paramete ...
• 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- ...
• Q1Group 2016 Drug Plan Analysis: Example of how 2016 Medicare Part D plans can change prescription co-payments or cost-sharing designs
As in past years, some 2015 Medicare Part D plans are changing their cost-sharing structures for 2016 prescription drug purchases.  For example, the SilverScript Choice plan will add a "Preferre ...
• Monthly 2015 Medicare Part D Premiums: The Highs and Lows
The Humana Walmart Rx plan will continue to be the lowest premium plan in most states with a monthly premium of about $15.60 (up $3 from 2014). The exception is New Mexico where the SilverScript Choic ...
• Q1Group 2016 PDP Analysis Summary: Many Medicare beneficiaries will see higher plan premiums and find fewer plan choices.
A preliminary analysis of the 2016 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) landscape data recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shows that, in g ...
• 2015 California Medicare Part D plans qualifying for the full-LIS $0 premium
Six (6) stand-alone 2015 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (or PDPs) qualify as full Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) $0 premium benchmark plans in California.  Nine Medicare Part D plans also qual ...
. Latest Items in Category

• 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 ...
• Paying more for your 2017 medications? Your drug purchase may still be within your new Medicare Part D plan's initial deductible and you are paying full retail costs for your prescriptions.
Your Medicare Part D plan's Initial Deductible affects your prescription drug costs in that you are responsible for 100% of your drug costs until you meet your plan's Initial Deductible.  After y ...
• Paying more for your medications in 2017? Check for increases in your 2017 prescription co-payments or cost-sharing.
Very few Medicare Part D plans keep their cost-sharing structure (co-payments and/or co-insurance) the same from year to year.  In theory, cost-sharing can increase or decrease year-to-year, but ...
• 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 ...
• Paying more for your 2017 Medicare Part D medications? Check for changes in your 2017 Medicare drug plan's co-payments or cost-sharing designs.
Your Medicare Part D plan's cost-sharing structure (how the plan's formulary is divided into drug tiers and the cost-sharing per tier) directly influences your medication costs.  When a new drug ...
• What should I do if my 2017 Medicare drug plan no longer covers one of my expensive medications?
If one of your medications is no longer covered by your 2017 Medicare Part D plan, there are at least three steps you can take at this time: (1)  If your medication is not excluded from the Me ...
• Are you being reassigned to another Medicare Part D plan in 2017?
A number of 2016 Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage plans (MAs and MAPDs) are being consolidated or merged into other 2017 Medicare plans. If you are currently in ...
• Q1Group 2017 PDP Analysis: Is your 2016 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan still being offered in 2017?
Each plan year, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans have the option of not renewing their Medicare contract and their Medicare plans can be discontinued across the country or in a specific se ...
• Q1Group 2017 MA/MADP Analysis: A few more 2017 Medicare Advantage plan choices, but fewer PFFS and MMP options.
The total number of 2017 Medicare Advantage plans will increase slightly across the country with 3% more Medicare Advantage plans in 2017. (Updated 10/25/2016 with newly released Medicare Advantage pl ...
• Q1Group 2017 MA/MADP Analysis: 2017 Medicare Advantage plan (MA and MAPD) premiums remain stable
In general, monthly Medicare Advantage plan premiums have remained stable over the past several years with 70% of all Medicare Advantage plans (MA and MAPD plans combined) continuing to have premiums ...
Back To News Home . Browse All (127) Items in Category



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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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