Top Medicare Part D Plans in Missouri for 2024

We reviewed the 21 top Medicare Part D Plans in Missouri for 2024. Here's what we found:

We also ranked the best Medicare Advantage plans with Part D in Missouri for 2024.

Every Part D Plan in Missouri Has 4 Cost Phases

Part D prescription drug plans help Missouri'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 costs work. So, let's start with the four cost-sharing phases.

The Deductible 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 copay amount only until you reach the coverage gap. Most Medicare prescription drug plans 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 2024 is $505.

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

The Part D ICL (Initial Coverage Limit) for 2024 is $4,660. During the ICL phase, your Part D plan will cover the majority of your prescription costs. If your prescription costs exceed $4,660 you go into the coverage gap phase ("donut hole")

The Coverage Gap is the Third Phase

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 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.

Phase 4 is Catastrophic Coverage

All Part D plans offer catastrophic coverage once you have paid $7,400 in true out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs. This amount includes the cost of covered drugs as well as some additional costs. In the catastrophic coverage phase, your copays or coinsurance will be significantly lower 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 limit 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.

Choose Your Part D Plan with Care

Choose from the available Part D Medicare plans carefully, and don't settle on a Part D plan until you know that your most expensive medications are covered at a price you can afford. This information is available in the plan's formulary. You'll find links to the formulary information, pharmacy information, and the customer service phone number on each PDP page (above).

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.

Get Your Prescriptions and More with a Medicare Advantage Plan

There's more than one way to get prescription drug coverage with your Medicare benefits. The first way is by enrolling in one of the Medicare prescription drug plans available in Missouri. The second way is to get prescription coverage through one of the many Missouri Medicare Advantage Plans that include Part D benefits. Most Medicare Advantage plans available in Missouri include Part D as an additional benefit.

Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplements Work Together

Are you thinking about supplemental Medicare insurance that can offer you more coverage? It's a smart move. Original Medicare only covers about 80 percent of your major medical bills, leaving you to cover the rest. We make it easy to find the lowest rates on Missouri Medicare Supplements, also known as Medigap plans. The choice is yours because all Part D plans are compatible with the full range of Missouri Medicare Supplements.

Medicare Part D for Dual Eligible People in Missouri

If you meet the requirements for both Medicare and Medicaid (aka, "dual eligible" or "Medi-Medi") in Missouri, you will automatically receive a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, as well as Extra Help from Social Security. If you qualify for Extra Help, the program will cover most of the costs of your prescriptions. Even if you qualify, the dual eligible option may not suit your needs. In this case, enroll in the prescription drug plan of your choice. If you receive Medicaid now, call your local Medicaid office for assistance with your dual eligible benefits.

Plans Offered

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna Healthcare, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare(R), and Wellcare.

Citations & References

1. Medicare.gov, "How to get prescription drug coverage", Last Accessed September 3, 2022
2. Medicare.gov, "What Medicare Part D drug plans cover", Last Accessed August 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 6, 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