MEDICARE 2013
Stand-alone drug plans
Tips on picking the best plans
Explore details of stand-alone drug plans in the chart below, and check out these guides:
- Our tips for navigating this year's choices
- A step-by-step guide
- Health plans with drug coverage, in detail
What’s in the chart below
- Premium: The monthly charge for this drug plan. This is in addition to Medicare’s monthly Part B premium.
- Annual deductible: What you pay out of pocket before coverage begins.
- Generics in the gap: Whether a company covers generic drugs in the coverage gap, also known as the doughnut hole, which begins when total drug costs hit $2,970 for the year and ends when your out-of-pocket expenses hit $4,750.
What’s not in this chart
- Medicare health costs: Drug plans are used by people on original Medicare, who also have out-of-pocket expenses for doctor and hospital copayments and deductibles.
- Drug plan copayments: Plans charge different copayments for various types of drugs. You will need to research individual plans to get that information.
- Total drug costs: Out-of-pocket costs for the year can vary widely depending on which drugs you use. A low premium and low deductible plan can be expensive if your drugs are not covered. For an estimated total cost, enter your specific drugs into Medicare’s online Plan Finder.
The plans
| COMPANY | MONTHLY PREMIUM | ANNUAL DEDUCT- IBLE | GENERICS IN GAP? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP MedicareRx Enhanced Contact: 1-800-568-8316 | $87 | $0 | Some, and some brands |
| AARP MedicareRx Preferred | $41.40 | $0 | No |
| AARP MedicareRx Saver Plus | $15 | $325 | No |
| Aetna CVS/Pharmacy Contact: 1-888-247-1029 | $32.50 | $325 | No |
| Aetna Medicare Rx Premier | $104.20 | $0 | Many, and some brands |
| BlueMedicare Rx-Option 1 Contact: 1-855-601-9465 | $43.10 | $0 | No |
| BlueMedicare Rx-Option 2 | $127.60 | $0 | All |
| Cigna Medicare Rx Plan 1 Contact: 1-800-735-1459 | $45.80 | $325 | No |
| Cigna Medicare Rx Plan 2 | $78.70 | $0 | Few |
| Envision RxPlus Gold Contact: 1-866-250-2005 | $54.50 | $150 | Some |
| Envision RxPlus Silver | $57.30 | $325 | No |
| Express Scripts Med. Choice Contact: 1-866-477-5704 | $81.30 | $200 | Many |
| Express Scripts Medicare-Value | $54.20 | $325 | No |
| First Health D Premier Contact: 1-800-588-3322 | $47.40 | $325 | No |
| First Health D Premier Plus | $93.20 | $0 | Some |
| First Health D Value Plus | $33.90 | $0 | No |
| Health First Essential Contact: 1-800-716-7737 | $33.60 | $325 | No |
| Health First Prime | $47.90 | $0 | Some |
| HealthSpring Contact: 1-800-331-6293 | $81 | $325 | No |
| Humana Complete Contact: 1-866-824-6005 | $113.60 | $0 | Some, and some brands |
| Humana Enhanced | $45.70 | $0 | No |
| Humana Walmart Pref. Rx | $18.50 | $325 | No |
| MedicareRx Rewards Plus Contact: 1-866-892-5334 | $99 | $0 | Few |
| MedicareRx Rewards Standard | $50.90 | $325 | No |
| Reader’s Digest Value Rx Contact: 1-888-625-5531 | $31.60 | $325 | No |
| Silver Script Basic Contact: 1-866-552-6288 | $27.60 | $325 | No |
| Silver Script Choice | $29.10 | $0 | No |
| Silver Script Plus | $96.40 | $0 | Many, and some brands |
| SmartD Rx Plus Contact: 1-855-976-2781 | $71.10 | $0 | Some |
| SmartD Rx Saver | $30.40 | $325 | No |
| United American Enhanced Contact: 1-866-524-4169 | $61.10 | $100 | No |
| United American Select | $27.20 | $325 | No |
| WellCare Classic Contact: 1-866-765-4385 | $28.50 | $0 | No |
| WellCare Extra | $39 | $0 | Many |
Source:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
STEPHEN NOHLGREN, WILLIAM HIGGINS | Times
