24 Best Medicare Part D Plans in Alabama for 2023

We found the 24 best Medicare Part D Plans in Alabama for 2023.

We also ranked the best Medicare Advantage plans with Part D in Alabama for 2023.

Every Part D Plan in Alabama Has 4 Cost Phases

Part D prescription drug plans help Alabama's Medicare beneficiaries pay for their prescriptions. If you're new to Medicare, you may not be familiar with how Medicare Part D out-of-pocket costsOut-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare are the remaining costs that are not covered by the beneficiary's health insurance plan. These costs can come from the beneficiary's monthly premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. work. So, let's start with the four cost-sharing phases.

The Deductible is the First Phase

A Medicare Part D plan's deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before the initial coverage phase begins and the plan begins paying its share. So, if you enroll in a plan with a $225 deductible, you'll spend that much at the pharmacy for your prescriptions. After that amount, you will pay the copayA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service. amount only until you reach the coverage gapA period of time in which you pay higher cost-sharing for prescription drugs until you spend enough to qualify for catastrophic coverage.. Most Medicare prescription drug plansMedicare Part D plans are an option Medicare beneficiaries can use to get prescription drug coverage. Part D plans provide cost-sharing on covered medications in four different phases: deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic. Each... have a deductible, however, many plans exclude Tier 1 drugs from the deductible, which gives you first-dollar coverage on most lower-cost medications.

NOTE: The maximum Part D plan deductible in 2023 is $505.

The 2nd Phase is the Initial Coverage Limit (ICL)

For 2023, the Part D Initial Coverage Limit (ICL) is $4,660. Your Part D plan will pay the bulk of your prescription cost during the ICL phase. If your costs exceed $4,660, then you will be in the coverage gap phase (aka "doughnut hole")

The Third Phase is a Coverage Gap

After your gross drug costs have reached $4,660, you will enter the Coverage Gap phase. This is where you will pay 25% of your medication's retail cost. While the price of generic drugsA generic drug is a prescription medication that has the same active ingredient formula as a brand-name drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than brand-name drugs. might not be much different, what you pay for brand-name drugs will be higher (because you're paying 25% of the full price). This will continue until you reach $7,400 in True Out Of Pocket Costs (TrOOP).

Some plans offer additional gap coverage, so look for it on the plan information pages.

Catastrophic Coverage is the Fourth Phase

Once you've spent $7,400 out-of-pocket you are out of the coverage gap phase and will receive catastrophic coverage. This happens automatically and ensures that you only pay a small amount for all covered drugs for the remainder of the year.

The out-of-pocket costs that help you get catastrophic coverage include:

1. Your plan's deductible;
2. What you paid during the initial coverage limitOnce you have met your yearly deductible, you will pay a copayment or coinsurance for each covered drug until you reach the initial coverage limit. You will then enter your plan’s coverage gap (aka, “donut... period;
3. Most of the full cost of brand-name drugs (and the manufacturer’s discount) purchased in the coverage gap;
4. The amount paid by others, including family members, most charities, and other persons on your behalf; and
5. The amount paid by State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs), AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, and the Indian Health Service.

The Lowest Premium May Not Be the Lowest Overall Cost

Don't make a decision on your choice of Part D Medicare plans based on the premium and deductible alone. It's critical that you verify that your medications are covered. You find this information, and the co-payment tiers, in the formularyA formulary is a list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan or another insurance plan offering prescription drug benefits. Medications not on a plan's formulary are generally not covered.. On each PDP page (above) we post links to the formulary and pharmacy web pages, and the phone numbers to contact the plan.

VITAL: Identifying the best Medicare Part D Plans requires research. What works the best for you is all about your regular prescriptions (if any), your health, and what you can afford.

Did you Know Most Medicare Advantage Plans Include Prescription Benefits?

Your Medicare benefits are flexible, and there's more than one way to get prescription drug coverage. If you want to keep your Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage., you can enroll in one of the stand-alone prescription drug plans available in Alabama. The other way to get Part D coverage is to enroll in one of the many Medicare Advantage Plans available in Alabama that include Part D benefits.

Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplements Work Together

Medicare does not pay for all of your hospitalization and medical bills. In fact, Original Medicare only covers about 80 percent of your major medical costs. We keep an up-to-date directory of Alabama Medigap Plans, also called Medicare SupplementsMedicare Supplements are additional insurance policies that Medicare beneficiaries can purchase to cover the gaps in their Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) health insurance coverage., with the tools you need to find the best price and coverage. Medicare Part D plans are fully compatible with Alabama Medigap plans.

Medicare Part D for Dual Eligible People in Alabama

Alabama beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (aka, "dual eligible" or "Medi-Medi") may be enrolled in a Alabama Medicare Prescription Drug Plan automatically, as well as Social Security's Extra Help program. The Extra Help program pays for most of your prescriptions, but only if you meet the strict eligibility requirements. If the dual eligible option does not meet your needs, you have the option to enroll in a Alabama Part D plan that does. If you are already receiving MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States., contact your local Medicaid office for assistance in the transition to Medicare.

Citations & References

1. Medicare.gov, "How to get prescription drug coverage", Last Accessed September 3, 2022
2. Benefits.gov, "Medicare Prescription Drug Plans", Last Accessed September 1, 2022
3. Medicare.gov, "Catastrophic coverage", Last Accessed June 13, 2022
4. Medicare.gov, "Are prescription drugs covered in Medicare Advantage plans?", Last Accessed June 5, 2022
5. SSA.gov, "Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs", Last Accessed June 1, 2022
6. CMS.gov, "Landscape Source Files", Last Accessed January 15, 2023
7. CMS.gov, "Medicare Part C & D Performance", Last Accessed January 15, 2023

This Medicare Part D plan state information page was last updated on January 17, 2023.