Skip to main content
GailL1
Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
September 28, 2025

Some considerations when picking your Medicare Standalone Part D plan for 2026

  • September 28, 2025
  • 10 replies
  • 4003 views

When looking over a plan, make sure to note how your part of the coverage is described:  Big difference when it says “co-insurance” instead of  “co-pay” .

That seems to be another place where some of the changes are taking place.

 

Also, remember there is the installment payment option for those on really expensive meds - a way to soften the blow even with the $ 2100 deductible for 2026.  The installment payment option for Medicare Part D is called the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP). This voluntary program, available starting in 2025, allows eligible Medicare Part D enrollees to spread their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs across the calendar year instead of paying the full amount at the pharmacy. You must opt into the plan by contacting your Part D plan sponsor and setting it up with them.  

Medicare.gov - What is the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan? 

It does help in managing your [high] drug cost and there is no charge for this benefit.

    10 replies

    SummerOnTheWay1
    September 28, 2025

    [9/28/25] Gail @GailL1 , thanks for this info.

     

    On 9/20/25 I received my WELLCARE Annual Notice of Change for 2026 in the mail.

     

    Looks like my plan will exist in 2026 that I have NOW in 2025.

     

    Still zero premium costs but looks like my two meds will be $5 each, versus $0 this year 2025.

     

    On October 1st, I will call my local LOA to set up my usual Medicare Overview appt.

     

    I have the Standalone Part D & Traditional Medicare.

     

    Take care,

    Nicole!

    GailL1
    GailL1Author
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    September 28, 2025

    @SummerOnTheWay1 

    Sounds like the plan is still a good value - I just wanted people to make sure they were reading their plans carefully and that a “co-insurance” % wasn’t replacing what was once a co-pay.  Most of the time this is involving the higher tier med - maybe tier 3 and above.  

    IT‘S ALWAYS SOMETHING . . . . .. . . . Roseanne Roseannadanna
    Conversationalist ⭐⭐
    September 29, 2025

    I have read on an insurance forum that more and more companies are dropping zero dollars as the price for cheap generics and, as the person above said, charging for them now. Grant you $5 isn't a huge amount but that is still a budget issue for some people.