Part D Prescription Drug Plans
You can sign up for Part D Prescription Drug Plans, which helps cover prescription drug costs, along with other components of Medicare starting three months before your 65th birthday, or if you are under 65 and eligible for Medicare.
It's important to do this on time because there' may be a permanent premium surcharge for enrolling after your initial enrollment period if you don't have equivalent drug coverage from another source, such as a retiree plan. The surcharge or Late Enrollment Penalty (LEP) is almost $0.37/mo/mo for 2025. That is, for every month you should have drug coverage and did not, you'll be charged $0.37 monthly for the rest of your life or as long as you are enrolled in Part D benefits.
Let us help you with your enrollment
If you are already enrolled in a Part D "standalone" plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that incorporates drug coverage, you can switch plans during the open-enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 every year.
Making Part D work
In 2025, there are out-of-pocket drug costs before you can qualify for catastrophic coverage. The out-of-pocket spending is capped at $2,000 in 2025. Further, a new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (M3P) helps "smooth" monthly costs to help you stabilize your monthly costs.
The standard deductible is $590 in 2025, while the initial coverage limit drops to $2000 in 2025, the Coverage Gap has been eliminated in 2025.
Drug Manufacturer participation in 2025 is limited to brand named medications, usually found in Drug Tiers 3-5 on most plans. During the initial coverage phase they contribute 10% of brand named medication costs - in the background - that is, contributions are factored into plan copays or coinsurances paid at point of sale or included in the M3P monthly payment. During catastrophic coverage, contributions are 20% for brand named medications; again contributions are factored into plan copays or coinsurances paid at point of sale or included in the M3P monthly payment .
Also in 2025, beneficiairies will have access to the Medicare Presciption Payment Plan (M3P) allowing them to spread their out of pockets costs equally over the remaining months in year. Geared toward individuals whose prescription costs near or exceed the $2,000 cap early in the year; as example, a beneficiary hitting the cap in January can pickup their first refill and be billed by their Part D plan or their assign in 12 monthly installment payments of approx $167 to cover their $2000 capped expense. Initial estimates reflect varying payments the first few months then stabilizing for the remaining year. The M3P plan is administered by the Part D plan or their contractor. An individual defaulting on their monthly payment obligation would be terminated from the M3P plan and required to pay all remaining co-pays at checkout.
Choosing a plan
It pays to review your Part D coverage every year, especially if you have started taking new drugs.
- Start at Medicare.gov, where you can find the basics about the benefit and Part D plans. There's a link to the Medicare Part D Plan Finder, which allows you to compare offerings and coverage options in your area and includes a helpful formulary finder that allows you to compare plans based on their coverage of your personalized list of drugs. It will even show you your monthly out-of-pocket drug cost for the year
Call us to help you understand your options.
Getting financial help
Individuals with 2024 annual incomes of less than $22,590 and financial resources of up to $17,220, or married couples with incomes of less than $30,660 and financial resources of up to $34,360, might qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay their Part D premiums and out-of-pocket drug costs. 2025 eligibility dollar thresholds are usually published in November each year for the coming year.
See Medicare's instructions on applying for the Extra Help program.
Additionally, read about the ways to lower your drug costs on Medicare.gov.
This information was obtained from www.medicare.gov
By contacting the phone number on this website you will be directed to a licensed agent.