What is a stand alone Part D drug plan?
Asked by: Mr. Eli Balistreri | Last update: December 6, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (37 votes)
What is a standalone Part D plan?
Published by Medicare Made Clear® Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are also known as PDPs. These are standalone plans that can be purchased through private insurance companies. PDPs provide coverage for prescription drugs and medications and may also cover some vaccines too.
What is a stand-alone pharmacy?
Free-standing pharmacy means a pharmacy that does not operate within another retail store. Free-standing pharmacy includes free-standing pharmacies that are chain stores and free-standing pharmacies participating under a WIC corporate agreement.
What are the two types of Medicare Part D plans?
Blue Shield offers two Medicare Part D plans; Blue Shield Rx Plus (PDP) and Blue Shield Rx Enhanced (PDP). The plans provide coverage options for your prescription drug costs.
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 Medicare Part D Works (2025)
Can you get Medicare Part D only?
If you are eligible for Medicare coverage, you are also eligible for the Medicare drug benefit (Part D). You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to enroll in Part D. Medicare drug coverage is only available through private plans.
Can I avoid the donut hole?
While it is not possible to completely avoid the Donut Hole in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, beneficiaries can take steps to reduce the amount of time they spend in this coverage gap.
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.
Which consumer is eligible for a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan?
Enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B: To be eligible for a standalone Medicare prescription drug plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B. This includes individuals who are 65 years or older, as well as certain individuals under 65 with qualifying disabilities.
What happens if I refuse Medicare Part D?
If you don't sign up for a Part D plan when you are first eligible to do so, and you decide later you want to sign up, you will be required to pay a late enrollment penalty equal to 1% of the national average premium amount for every month you didn't have coverage as good as the standard Part D benefit.
What is a stand-alone plan?
Standalone Plan means any Benefit Plan that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to solely by one or more of the members of the Company Group and in which solely Business Employees are participants.
Can I buy my own prescription plan?
If you have an individual health plan that doesn't provide enough prescription coverage, you can purchase an individual prescription drug plan for added support.
What is a stand-alone treatment?
The Stand-Alone Treatment is the most intensive bond-building repair available, using the OLAPLEX concentrate, reserved only for salon professionals. You may have heard a lot about Nº. 1 and Nº. 2 with color, but when the two come together as a Stand-Alone treatment, they have no chemicals working against them.
What is the average monthly cost of Medicare Part D?
The average estimated monthly Part D plan premium in 2025 is $46.50. Other factors can affect the cost of Part D including monthly premium, yearly deductible and copayments. High-income earners may pay a surcharge known as the “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (IRMAA).
What is a stand-alone insurance plan?
A standalone life insurance policy is a separate life insurance policy that won't affect other life insurance coverage you have.
Does Costco Pharmacy accept Medicare Part D?
The Costco pharmacy accepts my Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. This does NOT mean that they accept every Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.
What is stand-alone Part D?
Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plans are insurance plans for outpatient prescription drugs. Plans are offered by private insurance companies with a Medicare contract. You must be enrolled in either Medicare Part A or Part B to enroll in a Part D plan.
Can I get a stand-alone prescription drug plan?
It's possible, however, to obtain stand-alone drug plans in the non-Medicare market, although they're usually prescription discount plans rather than insurance (here's an explanation of how that works).
What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?
💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Does GoodRx count towards the donut hole?
Avoid falling into the Medicare donut hole too soon
You can use your Medicare plan for your more expensive brand drugs, and use GoodRx to purchase your less expensive generic medications. The cost of drugs purchased under GoodRx will not count against your coverage limit - thus keeping you out of the donut hole longer.
What happens to the donut hole in 2025?
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 maximum out-of-pocket for Part D in 2024?
Whether you're taking only brand-name drugs or a mix of brand-name and generic drugs, most people who reach the catastrophic coverage phase in 2024 will pay between $3,300 and $3,800 in out-of-pocket costs. In 2024, Mr. Alvarez takes $200,000 in Medicare Part D covered brand-name drugs.
Is Medicare Part D free at age 65?
Like original Medicare, Part D is not free; there are out-of-pocket costs to consider. Learn more about Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costs for 2025.
What is the $2000 limit for Medicare Part D?
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, in 2025 annual out-of-pocket costs will be capped at $2,000 for people with Medicare Part D.
Is Medicare D worth it?
No, Medicare Part D isn't a requirement. However, many people find that enrolling in a Part D plan is worth the investment. Your health can be unpredictable, so while you may not need many (or any) prescription drugs now, you may need them in the future.