What is the coverage gap for Part D in 2023?

Asked by: Nigel Kerluke MD  |  Last update: September 3, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (46 votes)

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 is the out-of-pocket threshold for 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).

What is the donut hole limit for 2023?

What are the Medicare donut hole thresholds in 2023? In 2023, you'll enter the donut hole when your spending + your plan's spending reaches $4,660. And you leave the donut hole — and enter the catastrophic coverage level – when your spending + manufacturer discounts reach $7,400.

What are the coverage phases for 2023 Part D?

Select a stage to learn more about the differences between them.
  • Stage 1. Annual Deductible.
  • Stage 2. Initial Coverage.
  • Stage 3. Coverage Gap.
  • Stage 4. Catastrophic Coverage.

What are the changes to Medicare Part D for 2023?

Beginning in 2023, under a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act, Part D enrollees will pay no more than $35 per month for covered insulin products in all Part D plans, and will pay no cost sharing for adult vaccines covered under Part D.

Part D of Medicare - 2023 Changes and Donut Hole Example

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Will Part D premiums increase in 2023?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage is projected to be approximately $31.50 in 2023. This expected amount is a decrease of 1.8% from $32.08 in 2022.

What will Medicare Part B premiums be in 2023?

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $164.90 for 2023, a decrease of $5.20 from $170.10 in 2022. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $226 in 2023, a decrease of $7 from the annual deductible of $233 in 2022.

What is the maximum deductible for Medicare Part D in 2023?

Deductibles vary between Medicare drug plans. No Medicare drug plan may have a deductible more than $505 in 2023. Some Medicare drug plans don't have a deductible. In some plans that do have a deductible, drugs on some tiers are covered before the deductible.

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.

How much do you spend before donut hole?

After you reach a total of $4,660, you enter the Coverage Gap stage, also known as the Donut Hole.

Does the donut hole reset each year?

Your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage starts again each year — and along with your new coverage, your Donut Hole or Coverage Gap begins again each plan year. For example, your 2022 Donut Hole or Coverage Gap ends on December 31, 2022 (at midnight) along with your 2022 Medicare Part D plan coverage.

What dollar amount puts a person into the donut hole?

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 is the base beneficiary premium for Part D for 2023?

The base beneficiary premium for 2023 is $32.74. This amount may change each year, so the penalty amount can also change each year. Medicare uses the current coverage year's base beneficiary premium to calculate the penalty amount.

What is CMS maximum out-of-pocket for 2023?

Medigap (Supplemental Insurance): The 2023 out-of-pocket maximum for Medigap plan K is $6,940. For Medigap plan L, the MOOP is $3,470. After you reach these limits, the plan will pay 100% of your costs for approved services for the remainder of the year.

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

GoodRx can't be used in combination with Medicare, but it can be used in place of Medicare. 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.

How do you stay out of a donut hole Medicare?

Consider Extra Help or State Assistance Programs

If you qualify, the Extra Help program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy program) can provide financial assistance with Medicare Part D costs. You must have limited income and assets to qualify, and the specific qualification threshold may change each year.

How do you beat the Medicare donut hole?

Purchase your generic drugs and pay the cash price at a pharmacy that does not have your insurance information. Purchase your brand name drugs at another pharmacy and pay the insurance copay. This strategy will reduce your out-of-pocket costs in Stage 2, and often keep you from falling in the Stage 3 donut hole.

How much will Social Security take out for Medicare in 2023?

For most people, $164.90 will be deducted each month from your Social Security to pay for Medicare Part B (medical insurance). This amount will be higher for those who have higher incomes.

How do you qualify to get $144 back from Medicare?

To qualify for the giveback, you must:
  1. Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.
  2. Pay your own premiums (if a state or local program is covering your premiums, you're not eligible).
  3. Live in a service area of a plan that offers a Part B giveback.

Will there be a Medicare increase in 2023?

For 2023, the Part A deductible will be $1,600 per stay, an increase of $44 from 2022. For those people who have not worked long enough to qualify for premium-free Part A, the monthly premium will also rise. The full Part A premium will be $506 a month in 2023, a $7 increase.

What is the new Medicare COLA for 2023?

Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments will increase by 8.7% in 2023. This is the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) required by law.

What is donut hole for 2024?

In 2024 – a year before the $2,000 cap goes into effect – the new healthcare law will eliminate the 5 percent copay. The cap on total spending will protect any retiree who develops a medical condition requiring them to take very expensive medications. Currently, there is no limit on how much they may have to spend.

Is the Medicare donut hole going away?

When did the donut hole close? The donut hole finally closed for good in 2020, having been phased out in 2019 for brand-name drugs and then in 2020 for generic drugs. The Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010 gradually reduced the share of costs people had to pay in the donut hole starting in 2011.

What is the Part D coverage gap discount program?

The Medicare Coverage Gap Discount Program (Discount Program) makes manufacturer discounts available to eligible Medicare beneficiaries receiving applicable, covered Part D drugs, while in the coverage gap.

What happens when you get out of the donut hole?

However, when the plan has paid up to a specified limit, the person has reached the donut hole. Once they reach this point, a person has to start paying for their medications again until they reach another specified amount. After this, their plan takes over payment once again.