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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, . . .
• 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 . . .
• 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 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 Medicare Plan Analysis: Over 1.2 million members in non-renewing 2017 Medicare Advantage plans may lose their 2018 Medicare plan coverage
Is your 2017 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan still being offered in 2018? Each year, Medicare plans have the option of not renewing their Medicare contract.  . . .
• 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 . . .
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• More 2019 Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) options - with significant changes in the 2019 SNP landscape
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data. In general, as compared to past years, there will be an increase in the total number of 2019 Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNPs) &# . . .
• 2019 Medicare Advantage plan (MA and MAPD) premiums remain low
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data. As noted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), monthly Medicare Advantage plan premiums have remained stable over the past . . .
• More 2019 Medicare Advantage plan choices, with increases in HMO and local PPO options
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data. As noted in a recent press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the total number of 2019 Medicare Advantage pl . . .
• A comparison of the Maximum Out-Of-Pocket Limit (MOOP) range for 2019 Medicare Advantage plans as compared to 2018 Medicare Advantage plans
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data.The Medicare Advantage plan Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) threshold limits how much you will spend on co-payments and co-insurance for eligible . . .
• More Medicare Advantage plans will offer some variation of the standard Initial Coverage Limit in 2019
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data.Although, the vast majority of Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage (MAPDs) will continue to use the standard defined Medicare . . .
• More $0 premium 2019 Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) with a $0 initial deductible
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data. As can be seen in the table below, there are more 2019 Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage (MAPDs) with a $0 initi . . .
• Many counties across the country will see a reduction in the available 2019 Medicare Advantage plans
Updated October 14, 2019 with CMS revised landscape data.As noted in our "More 2019 Medicare Advantage plan choices..." article, the total number of 2019 Medicare Advantage plans will increase across . . .
• 2019 Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) Landscape Analysis
A preliminary analysis of the 2019 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) data recently released by CMS shows that, Medicare beneficiaries will have more 2019 Medicare Part D PDP choices and many people will pay slightly higher 2019 monthly PDP premiums.
• Q1Group 2019 PDP Analysis: Most states will offer same number of Medicare Part D plans qualifying for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) $0 premium in 2019
Based on the recently released 2019 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) landscape data, some states across the country will offer the same num . . .
• Q1Group 2019 PDP Analysis: 60.9% of Medicare Part D beneficiaries can expect higher monthly stand-alone 2019 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premiums
Based on the current 2018 Medicare Part D plan enrollment (September 2018), we can estimate that around 60.9% of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan can expect to see . . .
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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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