Is there a coverage gap for Medicare Part D in 2023?

Asked by: Bettie Gorczany  |  Last update: January 26, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes)

Through 2024, if you spent a certain amount on prescription drugs, you'd enter the Part D "donut hole" or coverage gap. As of 2025, the Medicare Part D coverage gap is eliminated.

What is the Medicare Part D coverage gap for 2023?

The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs. Once you and your plan have spent $4,660 on covered drugs in 2023, you're in the coverage gap.

Is the Medicare Part D coverage gap closed?

The Medicare Part D donut hole or coverage gap phase of coverage no longer exists as of December 31, 2024. It was the coverage phase after the initial coverage period when you owed a higher or different percentage of the cost of your drugs.

What is the donut hole limit for 2023?

In 2023, the donut hole will end when you and your plan reach $7,400 out-of-pocket in one calendar year. That limit is not just what you have spent but also includes the amount of any discounts you received in the donut hole. So, your out-of- pocket will be somewhat less than that.

What changes are coming to Medicare Part D in 2023?

Starting in 2023, people with Medicare Part D coverage pay no more than $35/month per covered insulin product. This benefit will expand to Part B coverage on July 1, 2023.

What is the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap?

22 related questions found

What is the out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Part D in 2023?

In 2023, the catastrophic threshold is set at $7,400, and enrollees themselves will pay about $3,100 out of pocket before reaching the catastrophic phase (this estimate is based on using brand drugs only).

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

What is the $2000 limit for Medicare Part D?

The new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drugs covers everyone with a Medicare Part D plan, which is the section of Medicare that covers most pharmaceutical products. The annual new cap also includes people with drug plans through Medicare Advantage, which are health plans offered by private insurers.

How to avoid Medicare donut hole?

How do you close the coverage gap and get out of the donut hole?
  1. Lower the costs of your prescription medications by choosing a Part D plan with a formulary that includes your medications.
  2. Shop around to see if you can find a pharmacy that offers your medications at a lower cost.

What is the catastrophic coverage for Part D in 2024?

on Part D drugs if you reach the catastrophic coverage phase, which begins at a threshold of $8,000 in what's called true out-of-pocket (TrOOP) costs. For most people, you'll contribute roughly between $3,300 and $3,800 toward the cap of $8,000, and then pay $0 for your covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.

Are there any Medicare Part D plans without a donut hole?

Starting in 2025, Medicare no longer has a 'donut hole,' or coverage gap. In prior years, you paid up to 25% out of pocket for covered medications in the donut hole phase. Starting in 2025, once you reach the annual out-of-pocket cap ($2,000 in 2025), you're done paying out of pocket for the year.

How to close the coverage gap?

For states that refuse to adopt expansion, Congress should close the coverage gap by extending coverage to individuals with low incomes in those states — as proposed, for example, in Senator Warnock's Bridge to Medicaid Act, Representative Fletcher's ACCESS Act, and President Biden's 2025 budget.

Can I use GoodRx if I'm in the donut hole?

Key takeaways:

You may want to consider using GoodRx instead of Medicare when Medicare doesn't cover your medication, when you won't reach your annual deductible, or when you're in the coverage gap phase (“donut hole”) of your Medicare plan.

Is the Medicare coverage gap going away?

In 2025, the Medicare Part D coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole,” will be eliminated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Part D plan members will also enjoy the security of an annual maximum out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs.

How does the Inflation Reduction Act affect Medicare Part D?

This year, people with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage will benefit from a new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug costs. The new out-of-pocket cap is just one of the ways the Inflation Reduction Act is working to lower drug costs and make health care more accessible for everyone.

Is there any insurance that covers the donut hole for Medicare Part B?

No. There is no insurance that can help you cover costs in the donut hole. It's important to note that some Medigap or Medicare supplement plans cover deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare Part A and Part B only.

What are the changes to Medicare Part D in 2025?

The CY 2025 updates include the following: - A newly defined standard Part D benefit design consisting of three phases: annual deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic coverage; - A lower annual out-of-pocket (OOP) threshold of $2,000; Page 2 2 - The sunset of the Coverage Gap Discount Program (CGDP) and ...

Is donut hole going away in 2024?

It's important to know that starting in 2025, the Part D donut hole is eliminated. Instead, once your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs reach $2,000, you enter the catastrophic coverage phase—and pay nothing for covered medications for the rest of the year.

What is the deductible for Medicare Part D in 2024?

For 2025, under the standard benefit, Part D enrollees will pay a deductible of $590 (up from $545 in 2024), and will then pay 25% of their drug costs in the initial coverage phase until their out-of-pocket spending totals $2,000.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

What is the most popular Part D drug plan?

The best Medicare Part D provider is Aetna. It has top ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and affordable premiums. Other great providers include Wellcare and UnitedHealthcare.

Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?

There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Is Mayo Clinic no longer accepting Medicare Advantage plans?

We do not accept noncontracted Medicare Advantage Plans.

Why are doctors dropping Medicare patients?

In recent years, physician groups and some policymakers have raised concerns that physicians would opt out of Medicare due to reductions in Medicare payments for many Part B services, potentially leading to a shortage of physicians willing to treat people with Medicare.