According to the
recently released Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D landscape data, most Medicare beneficiaries across the country will have
fewer stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan choices.
Continuing the decline of stand-alone Medicare Part D plan choices over the past few years, there will also be fewer 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) choices.
In 2017, an average of
22 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans will be offered in each state, a drop from the 2016 average number of
26 stand-alone PDPs offered across the country. Our calculation of the 2017 average number of PDPs includes stand-alone Medicare Part D plans that are currently sanctioned by CMS and not offering enrollment.
In comparison to past years, there were an average of 34 stand-alone 2014 Medicare Part D plans (not including Medicare Advantage plans), 31 stand-alone 2013 Medicare Part D plans, and, back in 2009 - an average of 49 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans offered in each CMS PDP region (see chart below).
- The Highs -- Which states will have the most stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D plan choices?
In 2017,
24 stand-alone Medicare Part D plan options will be available to residents of
Alabama,
California,
Idaho,
Pennsylvania,
Tennessee,
Utah,
West Virginia, and
Wisconsin.
Pennsylvania and
West Virginia had the largest selection of 2016 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans offering Medicare beneficiaries
29 PDP choices.
- The Lows - - Which state will have the fewest stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D plan choices?
As was true in 2015 and 2016,
Alaska Medicare beneficiaries will again have the smallest selection of 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans with
18 PDP choices - down from
19 PDPs in 2016).
- Largest Changes -- Which state will have the greatest loss in stand-alone 2017 Medicare Part D plan choices?
South Carolina, will see the largest decrease of stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in 2017, losing
6 Medicare Part D PDP choices. In 2016,
South Carolina offered
27 Medicare Part D plans and in 2017 there will be
21 Medicare Part D plan choices.
For more information, a detailed overview of the 2017 stand-alone Medicare Part D landscape data can be found in the
Q1Medicare.com PDP-Facts section with Part D plan summaries on a national and state level.
Please note that we will continue to update the Medicare Part D plan coverage details throughout the year as more information becomes available.
Reminder: No need to rush.
Medicare Part D plan carriers can start marketing their plans on
October 1st and the annual Medicare Part D annual Open Enrollment Period for 2017 Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans begins on
October 15th and continues through
December 7th, with 2017 Medicare plan coverage beginning on
January 1, 2017.
For more information, starting October 1
st, Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak with a Medicare representative, and learn more about their 2017 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.
A note about 2017 Medicare Advantage plans
The 2017 Medicare Advantage plan landscape summary will be presented separately in another article. The above information is from our Medicare Part D
plan landscape summaries and based only on stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (or PDPs).
A number of the 2017 Medicare Advantage plans may be available in your area and may include comprehensive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, along with Medicare Part A (hospitalization), Medicare Part B (out-patient and physician), and additional healthcare benefits (these Medicare plans are also called MAPD plans).
Not sure where to begin with all this information or you have a question for us? No problem,
click here to let us know.