What are the four coverage stages of the Medicare Part D program?
Asked by: Callie Parker | Last update: November 8, 2023Score: 4.4/5 (21 votes)
If you have a Part D plan, you move through the CMS coverage stages in this order: deductible (if applicable), initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage.
What are the 4 phases of Part D coverage?
The Part D defined standard benefit has several phases, including a deductible, an initial coverage phase, a coverage gap phase, and catastrophic coverage, although it currently does not have a hard cap on out-of-pocket spending.
What is the first stage of Medicare Part D coverage?
After you meet your deductible, your Initial Coverage stage starts. During this stage, your Part D plan will help to cover the cost of your prescription drugs. However, once you and your plan pay a certain amount ($4,660 in 2023), you will enter the Part D coverage gap, or “donut hole”.
What are the tiers in Medicare Part D?
- Tier 1—lowest. copayment. ...
- Tier 2—medium copayment: preferred, brand-name prescription drugs.
- Tier 3—higher copayment: non-preferred, brand-name prescription drugs.
- Specialty tier—highest copayment: very high cost prescription drugs.
How many payment phases are associated with Medicare Part D plans?
There are up to four phases of cost-sharing for people enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Our chart explains what people with Medicare will pay in each phase, up to a total of $7,400 out-of-pocket before someone reaches the Catastrophic Benefits Period in 2023.
Medicare Part D Stages of Your Journey
How many phases does a Part D prescription drug plan have?
If you notice that prices have changed, it may be because you are in a different phase of Part D coverage. There are four different phases—or periods—of Part D coverage: Deductible period: Until you meet your Part D deductible, you will pay the full negotiated price for your covered prescription drugs.
What are the standard benefit phases for Part D?
Whether in a standard, alternative or enhanced plan, with each purchase of formulary prescription drugs during the plan year (calendar year), plan members move through the four stages of Part D coverage: the Deductible Period, the Initial Coverage Period, the Donut Hole/Coverage Gap, and Catastrophic Coverage Period.
What is Tier 6 in Medicare Part D?
Drugs in the Select Care tier (Tier 6) have a $0 copay for up to a 90-day supply in the Initial Coverage stage. This includes a select number of medications used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
What is the average cost of Medicare Part D?
Key Takeaways. If you have a Medicare Part D plan you may pay premiums, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for your prescription coverage. The average monthly premium for a Part D plan is projected to be $31.50 in 2023, though plans vary.
Can I avoid the donut hole?
If you have limited income and resources, you may want to see if you qualify to receive Medicare's Extra Help/Part D Low-Income Subsidy. People with Extra Help see significant savings on their drug plans and medications at the pharmacy, and do not fall into the donut hole. See if you qualify and apply today.
What is the coverage gap for Part D in 2023?
Once you and your plan have spent $4,660 on covered drugs in 2023, you're in the coverage gap. This amount may change each year. Also, people with Medicare who get Extra Help paying Part D costs won't enter the coverage gap.
What phase is the donut hole in Medicare Part D?
The “donut hole” isn't really going away, because Medicare Part D still has four payment stages. The “donut hole” is the third stage, and you move through the Part D payment stages based on how much you, your plan, and others on your behalf have paid for your drugs during the year.
How long do you stay in the donut hole?
The amount of time you spend in the donut hole depends on the cost of your covered drugs and the benefits of the Part D plan you selected. Not everyone will get to the Medicare donut hole. If you do, you stay there until you've spent a specific amount for covered drugs. This amount changes each year.
What is step therapy in Medicare Part D?
Step therapy is a restriction placed on drug coverage by Part D plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. Before your plan will cover a drug, you must first try a different or less expensive drug that treats your condition to see if it will be effective for you.
What is the deductible phase?
Deductible phase: In this phase, you pay 100% of your eligible expenses until you meet your annual combined medical and prescription drug deductible.
What is the difference between Part D and Plan D?
The names “Medicare Plan D”, “Medicare Supplement Plan D”, and “Medigap Plan D all mean the same thing. But these plans are not the same thing as Medicare Part D, which is for prescription drug coverage. Medicare Supplement Plan D policies do not cover prescription drugs.
How much a month is Medicare Part D?
No hidden costs. Medicare Part D, or Medicare drug coverage, is a type of prescription drug policy that can help you pay for a variety of medications. You can purchase a stand-alone Part D policy and pair it with Medicare Parts A and B. The average monthly cost of a Medicare Part D plan is $49.
How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?
- Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
- Pay your own premiums (if a state or local program is covering your premiums, you're not eligible).
- Live in a service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.
Is Medicare Part D based on income?
Social Security will contact you if you have to pay Part D IRMAA, based on your income. The amount you pay can change each year. If you have to pay a higher amount for your Part D premium and you disagree (for example, if your income goes down), use this form to contact Social Security [PDF, 125 KB].
What is the deductible for Medicare Part D in 2023?
This is the amount you must pay each year for your prescriptions before your Medicare drug plan pays its share. Deductibles vary between Medicare drug plans. No Medicare drug plan may have a deductible more than $505 in 2023.
What is Tier 3 in Medicare Part D?
Tier 3: Preferred brand drugs – Brand-name drugs without a lower-cost generic therapeutic equivalent are in this tier. Tier 4: Non-preferred drugs – Higher-cost generic and brand-name drugs with a lower-cost generic therapeutic equivalent are in this tier.
What is the difference between enhanced and basic Medicare Part D?
Enhanced plans charge higher monthly premiums than basic plans but typically offer a wider range of benefits. For instance, these plans may not have a deductible, may provide extra coverage during the donut hole, and may have a broader formulary. Some of these plans may also cover excluded drugs.
How does the donut hole work in 2023?
You enter the donut hole when your total drug costs—including what you and your plan have paid for your drugs—reaches a certain limit. In 2023, that limit is $4,660. While in the coverage gap, you are responsible for a percentage of the cost of your drugs. How does the donut hole work?
What is the Part D rebate rule?
October 1, 2022 – The start of the first 12-month period for which drug companies will be required to pay rebates to Medicare if their prices for certain Part D drugs increase faster than the rate of inflation over the 12-month period.
Will my Medicare Part D automatically renew?
Medicare Renewal Periods
After you're enrolled in Medicare, your coverage will continue unless you decide to make changes. Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans and Medigap plans all automatically renew.