📋 Premiums for Medicare Drug Plans Will Be Less Next Year (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE - SEE ARTICLE FOR MORE!!!

Open enrollment for Part D and Medicare Advantage plans begins Oct. 15.

By Kimberly Lankford, AARP. Published September 27, 2024.

Average monthly premiums for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will decrease in 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Friday.

The average monthly premium for a stand-alone Part D prescription plan is projected to be $40 next year, a decline of $1.63, almost $20 annually.

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2024/drug-plan-premiums.html

[shamit]

I am not worried about them headquartered in Florida.  They base your premiums on the state and the county you are in.  That is why there are different premiums in different states and even in different counties within the same state.  Our zip code has 3 different counties in it and prices can be different in each one.  We have to enter our county to get the correct price for us.  They base premiums on costs to them for our locality.

If Florida is a problem then they will raise their rates for that state or pull out of that state.  Or maybe just certain counties.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/25/24] @shamit , I am just surprised they would be BASED out of Florida. Oh well, I will see how it goes with them January 2025 to October 2025. CHANGE AGAIN if needed. Thanks again. You certainly UNDERSTAND of this. Did I wish you Happy Thanksgiving = Senior Moment. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA,  I partly wish they based premiums on where the company is located for our Homeowner's premium.  Here in Oklahoma we have one of the highest rates.  Our insurance company is based in a state with lower premiums. We could probably save hundreds of dollars a year.  The average Homeowner's premium here is $5,858.

Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes.  Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/22/24] @shamit , I just checked my ONLINE Aetna Documents. Aetna was indeed notified of my cancellation.  🙃🙃🙃  [Attachment] YESTERDAY I had picked up my 90-day Blood Pressure Refill at ZERO cost at CVS. I need to count my Chlolestral, but I think that too will get AUTOFILLED next month. Then see what 2025 has for me with Wellcare. Thank you SO MUCH for your help, Nicole

[Winter2025VA]

[11/21/24] @shamit , help!!!

📸  Attachment  📸

(1) Does this attachment say what I think = my request to CANCEL with Aetna Part D Silverscript document is available online to view? It is NOT in my document folder online.

(2) I did call Medicare tonight and still NOT changed.

(3) Neither is it on my online Medicare Account.

Thanks,

Nicole

[shamit]

Wow!  So it hasn't changed in you Medicare Account?  I got a letter in the mail from Aetna after I get my prescription card from WellCare.  I found my disenrollment letter in the Plan Benefit Documents on the Caremark site. It says it was sent October 25.  That was the day before WellCare sent their letter.  

I did my change directly through the Medicare site used for looking for plans for 2025.  I clicked on the button to enroll and answered the questions there.  Printed it up and everything went well.  Maybe the person helping you didn't put the change in the day you were there.  I don't think she was in your Medicare account because you would have had to give her your password.  Maybe it takes a little longer doing it that way.  It did say it could take up to 10 days to show up in your account.  I would definitely be getting in touch with the person who helped you if it is not in your Medicare Account by Monday. 

Hopefully it is just a delay, since you didn't do it directly on the Medicare site.  I guess someone from Medicare would have to enter the change, which might be the delay.

I am glad I did it directly like we have in the past.  It was so easy.  Hopefully things are going to work out.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/22/24] @shamit , thanks and I will. Medicare lady said 10 to 12 days. LOA lady said 10 days. Nicole

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: Wow!  So it hasn't changed in you Medicare Account?  I got a letter in the mail from Aetna after I get my prescription card from WellCare.  I found my disenrollment letter in the Plan Benefit Documents on the Caremark site. It says it was sent October 25.  That was the day before WellCare sent their letter.  

I did my change directly through the Medicare site used for looking for plans for 2025.  I clicked on the button to enroll and answered the questions there.  Printed it up and everything went well.  Maybe the person helping you didn't put the change in the day you were there.  I don't think she was in your Medicare account because you would have had to give her your password.  Maybe it takes a little longer doing it that way.  It did say it could take up to 10 days to show up in your account.  I would definitely be getting in touch with the person who helped you if it is not in your Medicare Account by Monday. 

Hopefully it is just a delay, since you didn't do it directly on the Medicare site.  I guess someone from Medicare would have to enter the change, which might be the delay.

I am glad I did it directly like we have in the past.  It was so easy.  Hopefully things are going to work out. ***]

---

[Winter2025VA]

[11/16/24] So @shamit , I finally sat down and READ the "printout" the LOA lady gave me.

Hmmm, concerned about the IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN.  🤔🤔🤔

Sounds like they can DENY your application.

And IF they do, NOT much time left to apply elswhere and hope to get approved before the 12/7/24 DEADLINE.

Lol, and I donot know WHY I wasted my time just now CALLING the number at bottom of "printout" - CONTACT THE PLAN DIRECTLY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.  🤣😂

Got a girl (youngster) who didnot speak English. Then before I hung up (was on hold forever for her to TRANSFER me), thought I was TRYING to sign up. Hmmm, told you SEVERAL times I have and was ASKING about my application.

Then looked at website url beside the phone number. ZERO way to find out.

Also, the address for my Wellcare Value Script (PDP) is a PO box in Tampa, Florida.

I am in Virginia.

[1] Do you and/or your husband have the SAME plan as I do?

[2] About how long AFTER signing up did you know you were APPROVED?

What a pain all of this is.

Oh, got an email from AETNA to say I can VIEW my 2025 Part D setup. I sincerely hope WELLCARE accepts my application.

Thanks my friend,

Nicole  👵

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA, I believe we have the same plan as you have signed up for.  Ours has a PO box in Tampa, FL also.  It takes a few days for them to process it.  You can check on your Medicare account and see if it has been added in a few days.  I saw it on my account before I received the prescription card in the mail.  It shows that it will be starting on 1/1/2025.

I received 2 mailings from Wellcare.  The first had the card and the second had a welcome kit.  I have also received a letter from Aetna saying I was disenrolled from their plan for next year.  They said to contact them if I had not done this.  I enrolled on October 22.  The date on the mailing from Wellcare was October 26.  And the date on the Aetna letter was October 28.  But it took over a week before I got the mailings.

I printed up my application when I enrolled and it says to allow 10 for it to show up in your Medicare account.  But it didn't take that long for me.  I wouldn't be too worried.  This is my third plan and my husband has had 3 plans and we have never been denied.  It always takes so long after approval for them to process the letter and then of course the long wait for the USPS to deliver it.  Check your account over the next few days.  I am sure it will show up before you get notified in the mail.  It will relieve your mind a little sooner that way.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/16/24] Thanks @shamit , I am heading to check my MEDICARE online account. I use to live in Florida and my daugther still does. I am VERY CONCERNED Wellcare seems to be from there. Insurance drama and companies leaving or going belly up. Lol, I hope Wellcare stays in biz until ANOTHER cheap plan for my Virginia ZIP CODE arrives.  🤣😂

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: I believe we have the same plan as you have signed up for.  Ours has a PO box in Tampa, FL also.  It takes a few days for them to process it.  You can check on your Medicare account and see if it has been added in a few days.  I saw it on my account before I received the prescription card in the mail.  It shows that it will be starting on 1/1/2025.

I received 2 mailings from Wellcare.  The first had the card and the second had a welcome kit.  I have also received a letter from Aetna saying I was disenrolled from their plan for next year.  They said to contact them if I had not done this.  I enrolled on October 22.  The date on the mailing from Wellcare was October 26.  And the date on the Aetna letter was October 28.  But it took over a week before I got the mailings.

I printed up my application when I enrolled and it says to allow 10 for it to show up in your Medicare account.  But it didn't take that long for me.  I wouldn't be too worried.  This is my third plan and my husband has had 3 plans and we have never been denied.  It always takes so long after approval for them to process the letter and then of course the long wait for the USPS to deliver it.  Check your account over the next few days.  I am sure it will show up before you get notified in the mail.  It will relieve your mind a little sooner that way. ***]

---

[shamit]

My husband and I had a Wellcare prescription plan when we first signed up in 2020.  In 2021 we both switched to Silverscripts.  That's where I have stayed until now.  My husband switched to this Wellcare plan in 2023 for this year 2024.

Most of the insurance drama in Florida is Homeowners Insurance.  The supplement plan we signed up for at first we only kept for 1 year.  They notified us that they were no longer going to offer Medicare supplement plans anywhere in the US.  But those of us who had it would still keep it.  That meant there would be no younger people joining and we knew the rates would skyrocket. 

So we went through underwriting and obtained another company's Plan G.  Glad we had no serious problems.  We applied over the phone.  Before we concluded everything we were notified that we were accepted and no surcharges.  This will get harder as you get older.  But the nice thing for us is that Oklahoma instituted a Birthday Rule.  So we will be able to choose another supplement plan at our birthday if we want without underwriting.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/16/24] @shamit , thanks for background on insurance and telling me where to FIND my 2025 Part D info. Shows Aetna SilverScript as of NOW.

***  Drug Insurance (Part D)
SilverScript Choice (PDP)
Coverage start date
1/1/2025.

*** My daughter has PROGRESSIVE for car and townhouse. Before I left in 2015, GEICO for me. I have ALLSTATE for my car here in Virginia. Three times CHEAPER here than in Florida with Aetna (2006 Hyundai Elantra).

Lol, well thanks for the good news = more difficult as I age. Another INCENTIVE to eat healthy & exercise so I can get off my Blood Pressure and Chlolestral meds. And cancel the Pre-Diabetes diagnosis for this year's Medicare lab work. But I am MISSING my chocolate cake and ice  cream.  😭😭😭

Oh well. Thanks again my friend for your help. Nicole

---

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: My husband and I had a Wellcare prescription plan when we first signed up in 2020.  In 2021 we both switched to Silverscripts.  That's where I have stayed until now.  My husband switched to this Wellcare plan in 2023 for this year 2024.

Most of the insurance drama in Florida is Homeowners Insurance.  The supplement plan we signed up for at first we only kept for 1 year.  They notified us that they were no longer going to offer Medicare supplement plans anywhere in the US.  But those of us who had it would still keep it.  That meant there would be no younger people joining and we knew the rates would skyrocket. 

So we went through underwriting and obtained another company's Plan G.  Glad we had no serious problems.  We applied over the phone.  Before we concluded everything we were notified that we were accepted and no surcharges.  This will get harder as you get older.  But the nice thing for us is that Oklahoma instituted a Birthday Rule.  So we will be able to choose another supplement plan at our birthday if we want without underwriting. ***]

---

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA, Once the Wellcare gets approved the below 

SilverScript Choice (PDP)
Coverage start date
1/1/2025

will change to WellCare.  I didn't think it would have been approved yet.  It's only been 2 to 3 days since you applied.  But there is a good chance it will be approved by the end of the week. Hope you hear soon.

[Winter2025VA]

[11/16/24] @shamit , as long as it is before 12/7./lol  🤣😂  I will call AGAIN if it is past 10 days like the LOA lady told me to do.

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: Once the Wellcare gets approved the below 

SilverScript Choice (PDP)
Coverage start date
1/1/2025

will change to WellCare.  I didn't think it would have been approved yet.  It's only been 2 to 3 days since you applied.  But there is a good chance it will be approved by the end of the week. Hope you hear soon. ***]

---

[GailL1]

@Winter2025VA wrote

iI finally sat down and READ the "printout" the LOA lady gave me.

Hmmm, concerned about the IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN. 

===============================

That just means that

You are 65 years old or have Medicare because of a disability

You are signed up for Medicare Parts A and B and

You have chosen to get your benefits via Traditional Medicare and NOT a Medicare Advantage plan.

If a person signs up for a Free standing Medicare Part D plan, it might UNENROLL them from a Medicare Advantage Plan unless it is a plan specifically for veterans with VA drug coverage.

Sounds like you are fine.  No premium, lots of preferred pharmacies, perhaps with only Tier One $0.00 copy meds.

[Winter2025VA]

I hope so @GailL1 !!!

[Winter2025VA]

[11/14/24] @shamit , it is Wellcare for 2025 for me. I wonder how come there is ZERO cost for me? Lol, now my 1st CVS pharmacy trip for 2025 will be interesting = zero or $. LOA was very nice.

[GailL1]

---

@Winter2025VA wrote:

[11/14/24] @shamit , it is Wellcare for 2025 for me. I wonder how come there is ZERO cost for me? Lol, now my 1st CVS pharmacy trip for 2025 will be interesting = zero or $. LOA was very nice.

---

You may have this:

Medicare.gov- Medicare Extra Help Program 

I don’t know the 2025 figures - 

EDITED to add

A beneficiary  applies for the extra help program with SSA 

SSA.gov - Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help Program 

Medicare Part D plans can structure their plans so that some of their plans have no premiums - although for 2025 that has become a rarity.  CMS tells the plans what they have to cover and what methods they can use to have some cost containment.  The insurers takes these rules and builds their plans .  Then based on your needs, you pick the one in your area that fits.

If on, extra help and you don’t pick a plan, one is assigned to you by Medicare based on your med needs.  

[shamit]

@GailL1 , We don't receive help for our prescriptions or anything healthcare.  We pay the going rate since we don't have a low income.  We don't have a high income, just a average income.  But our Part D premium is still $0 per month.  My current prescriptions are also $0 per month.  That is good information for those with a low income.

[Winter2025VA]

Exactly @shamit , Extra Help had ZERO to do with the price we discussed.

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: @GailL1 , We don't receive help for our prescriptions or anything healthcare.  We pay the going rate since we don't have a low income.  We don't have a high income, just a average income.  But our Part D premium is still $0 per month.  My current prescriptions are also $0 per month.  That is good information for those with a low income. ***]

---

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA , It should work out for you.  My husband was on this last year and continuing this one for next year.  I also switched to this.  Zero premium and Zero cost for the medications. 

I have received my card and signed up for an account on their website.  It shows my premium is $0.  So that is a good start. The government must give them a certain amount of money like they do for Medicare Advantage plans.  Otherwise I don't see how they could do this for ZERO $$$$.

I won't need a refill until February as I just had mine refilled for 3 months last week.  I figured might as well since the cost on my current plan is also $0 for the prescriptions.  My premiums aren't $0 this year but still only $9.90 and I have to pay that if I have a prescription or not. It will give me a little time to see what happens next year. 

[Winter2025VA]

@shamit  I corrected typos 🙄  [11/14/24] , I hope so. Last year 2023, Wellcare was NOT available for my zip code here in Virginia. The LOA lady compared what I would pay in 2025 IF I had stayed with Aetna SilverScript. $103!!!  😱😱😱  I was only paying about $6 for this year 2024. Are they crazy!!! Anyway, 2025 at CVS will be the challenge for me. This year 2024 my Chlolestral and Blood Pressure meds were ZERO. Take care, Nicole  👵

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: It should work out for you.  My husband was on this last year and continuing this one for next year.  I also switched to this.  Zero premium and Zero cost for the medications. 

I have received my card and signed up for an account on their website.  It shows my premium is $0.  So that is a good start. The government must give them a certain amount of money like they do for Medicare Advantage plans.  Otherwise I don't see how they could do this for ZERO $$$$.

I won't need a refill until February as I just had mine refilled for 3 months last week.  I figured might as well since the cost on my current plan is also $0 for the prescriptions.  My premiums aren't $0 this year but still only $9.90 and I have to pay that if I have a prescription or not. It will give me a little time to see what happens next year. ***]

---

[Winter2025VA]

[11/13/24] @shamit , just got a return call to my voicemail asking for a CONFIRMATION for tomorrow's Medicare Part D appointment. My local LOA (local office of aging) has a few females who HATE working there and I TRY to limit my "interaction" with them when I ARRIVE.

They are of course the Front Office folks.

The guy in charge of the VOLUNTEERS just called. REALLY NICE guy. Lol, now to hope Female Volunteer is nice.

Last year it was a VERY NICE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE male volunteer.

Anyway, by confirming TODAY, I donot need to "listen" to - you are not scheduled from the Miss Rude as h.ll receptionist./lol 😂🤣

Sorry Miss, but Mr. x confirmed yesterday and dare her to say one more word.  👍👍👍

Just let lady know I 'is" here.

I will update you after my 9am appointment.

Take care,

Nicole  👵

[Winter2025VA]

[10/21/24]

I am so glad I just called my Local Office of Aging @shamit and Don @donp12594 !!!

The earliest appointment I can get is November 14, 2024.

Lol, I was dragging my feet with this as they are in the City (I am in the suburb) and an awful highway between me and them.

While I appreciate the handy Medicare Comparison Tool, old and don't trust online.  🙄

Anyway, I will update you guys after my appointment.

Tool says Wellcare.

When I went on their website this weekend, I am NOT seeing the plan the Medicare Tool recommends. Just ONE PLAN FOR MY ZIP CODE and it is not cheap.  🤔

Rather deal with LOA as they are local, speak English and KNOW what they are doing.

It seems EVERYONE, including my bank sees a need to have foreigners answer their phones who I cannot understand and p.ss me off with their obvious TRAINING NOTES they are reading back to me.

Shamit, hope you had/have an awesome vacation.

Take care,

Nicole  👵  (Medicare Forum) 

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA   We got home from vacation yesterday.  We had a good trip. 

I signed up for the Wellcare plan on the Medicare site.  It is the same plan my husband signed up for last year.  He received the change information for 2025.  And it is only a $0 premium per month.  I checked my prescriptions I take regularly and they are $0.  I also checked the couple of antibiotics that I have been prescribed in the last couple of years.  Both on the Medicare Plan Finder and on Wellcare's formulary list.  One of them is $0 and the other is $0.85.  I can definitely live with this.

I can not find any Part D plans on their website.  When I try to find information it wants me the fill out a form and someone from Wellcare will contact me.  I feel good with online things.  I have been doing online banking for a long time.  I am not young.  I am closer to my 72nd birthday than my 71st.  It was easy doing it last year for my husband and this is the same plan so I feel very comfortable.

[Winter2025VA]

[10/22/24] Hi @shamit , glad you guys had a great vacation!!! I have had the Original Medicare since signing up last year 2023 and keeping it. Last year there was NO Wellcare for my zip code here in Cave Spring, VA. Not sure what is going on but with my rent going up each year, I am trying to find a Part D that fits into my budget.  🙄

Hopefully my LOA appointment will resolve that for me.

Glad Wellcare is a good fit for you and hubbie.  👍

Take care,

Nicole

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: We got home from vacation yesterday.  We had a good trip. 

I signed up for the Wellcare plan on the Medicare site.  It is the same plan my husband signed up for last year.  He received the change information for 2025.  And it is only a $0 premium per month.  I checked my prescriptions I take regularly and they are $0.  I also checked the couple of antibiotics that I have been prescribed in the last couple of years.  Both on the Medicare Plan Finder and on Wellcare's formulary list.  One of them is $0 and the other is $0.85.  I can definitely live with this.

I can not find any Part D plans on their website.  When I try to find information it wants me the fill out a form and someone from Wellcare will contact me.  I feel good with online things.  I have been doing online banking for a long time.  I am not young.  I am closer to my 72nd birthday than my 71st.  It was easy doing it last year for my husband and this is the same plan so I feel very comfortable. ***]

---

[shamit]

@Winter2025VA   My husband and I also have original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan (not through Wellcare) since 2020.  He didn't retire until he was almost 71 and I was almost 67.  We don't want a Medicare Advantage plan unless our supplement plan becomes so expensive that we can no longer afford it.

But for our Prescription (Part D), we pick the best fit for us.  Not always the same for him and me.  We both are on our 3 different plan.  That is why it is good to check each year.  Always checking the premium and the drug costs.  Of course for my husband it is always just the lowest premium, since he takes no maintenance drugs.  In fact, he has only had a couple of prescriptions since he has been on Medicare and that is when he had a root canal.

Hope you find a good fit when you go to your LOA appointment.

[Winter2025VA]

[10/22/24] Thanks @shamit , I will let you know what they say after my November 14th appointment. I have my 1st Bone Dentisty Test next month November and ALSO want to make sure IF possible to have a Part D plan that will COVER any CALCIUM I will probably need. And also DIABETES, my mother was on INSULIN. Lol, I have my fingers, toes and eyes crossed I DO NOT need either = made some diet changes and about to kick a few things. Gosh, miss my junk food.

Take Care,

Nicole

---

[*** SHAMIT wrote: My husband and I also have original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan (not through Wellcare) since 2020.  He didn't retire until he was almost 71 and I was almost 67.  We don't want a Medicare Advantage plan unless our supplement plan becomes so expensive that we can no longer afford it.

But for our Prescription (Part D), we pick the best fit for us.  Not always the same for him and me.  We both are on our 3 different plan.  That is why it is good to check each year.  Always checking the premium and the drug costs.  Of course for my husband it is always just the lowest premium, since he takes no maintenance drugs.  In fact, he has only had a couple of prescriptions since he has been on Medicare and that is when he had a root canal.

Hope you find a good fit when you go to your LOA appointment. ***]

---

[GailL1]

Kaiser Health News 10/21/2024 - Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cos... 

Course, that's for people that take expensive drugs - those are covered and better due to the MOOP for PDPs.

But for others that may one or two and these are generic - it's gonna hurt a bit but that's what insurance is - 

[Winter2025VA]

[10/15/24]

1st day of being able to CHANGE my Part D Prescription Plan. Plan on using Option 2 help mentioned in Medicare EMAIL I received this month. Lol, wonder what I wil end up with. Wellcare per the Medicare Site Tool seems to be the way to go.

Don @donp12594 , @shamit - do you have any thoughts on which plan you will have for 2025?

Thanks,

Nicole

▶️*** FROM MY MEDICARE EMAIL.

You have 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (Medicare-approved plans from private companies). It's important to understand the differences between these 2 options, so consider these things when choosing coverage.

[Option 1] Start at Medicare.gov, your official source to find the type of coverage that fits you best. If you need more help comparing options:

Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE during Open Enrollment.

[Option 2] Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org to get the phone number for your state.

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

---