Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in Virginia
Changes to 2022 Medicare Part D in Virginia
Virginia seniors, you have more Medicare Part D plan (PDP) choices this year. Also, you'll find 2022 plans with lower monthly premiumsA premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must pay for coverage. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly basis. In the federal Medicare program, there are four different types of premiums. , however, the maximum deductibleA deductible is an amount a beneficiary must pay for their health care expenses before the health insurance policy begins to pay its share. is now $480 per year, a $35 increase over last year. This increase is offset by a higher 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..., which is now $4,430. What follows will guide you through what you need to know to get the best Part D prescription drug plan available in Virginia with affordable 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..
The Maximum Deductible on 2022 Medicare Part D Plans
Prior to a plan paying any of your prescription costs, you are required to pay the annual deductible. So, if you enroll in a 2022 plan with a $480 deductible, you'll spend $480 out-of-pocket before coverage begins. Most Part D plans have a deductible, but some plans exclude Tier 1 (generics), offering immediate coverage on low-cost medications.
The Initial Coverage Limit
The 2022 Initial Coverage Limit (ICL) is $4,430. The ICL phase is when your Part D plan begins to pay the bulk of the costs. If your prescription costs exceed $4,430, you will enter 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. phase (aka, "donut hole").
Will You Fall Into The 2022 Donut Hole?
After your 2022 gross drug costs have reached $4,330, 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 $7,050 in True Out Of Pocket Costs (TrOOP).
Some plans offer additional gap coverage, so look for it on the plan information pages.
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.
IMPORTANT: Identifying the best Medicare Part D Plans for you takes a bit of research. What's best for you is personal and must consider multiple factors, including your regular prescriptions, your health and your finances.
Medicare Part D is Included with Most Virginia Medicare Advantage Plans
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 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... listed above. The second way to get help paying for your prescriptions is through one of the Virginia Medicare Advantage Plans that include Part D.
Combining a Supplement and Medicare Part D Benefits
The new healthcare law did not change the coverage you get from Medicare for major medical. You are still responsible for paying the remaining 20 percent of all hospital and doctor bills. Even a brief hospital stay can cost you thousands. That's why we maintain a complete catalog of Virginia Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as MedigapMedicare 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.. We make it easy to find the best price on the plan you want. All Medigap plans are 100% compatible with the Medicare Part D plans listed above.
Medicare Part D for Dual Eligible People in Virginia
In Virginia, if you are eligible for both Medicare and MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. (aka, dual eligible or Medi-Medi) you will automatically be enrolled in a Virginia Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and the Social Security Extra Help program. Extra HelpSocial Security's Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs by paying some of the costs. Also known as "Extra Help", beneficiaries who qualify for LIS receive premium... pays for most of the costs of your prescriptions if you meet the eligibility requirements. You may also enroll in a plan of your own choosing that better meets your needs. If you qualified for Medicaid before you were eligible for Medicare, contact your local Medicaid office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Medicare Part D Plans
Best plan is based on your regular prescriptions, cost, the pharmacy you use, and customer care provided by the plan. We recommend comparing these plans:
For the 2022 plan year, the average cost of a prescription drug plan (Part D) is around $32, but that varies a little by location. Basic plans start around $20. To see all of your options in Virginia, check out this page.
Medicare Part D plans change annually and they are different in each state. You can see all of the plans available in Virginia on this page.
PDP Eligibility and Availability
You are eligible to enroll in a Virginia PDP plan if:
- You are a resident of the state,
- You are enrolled in Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers limited home healthcare services and hospice care. and Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services., and
- You are age 65+ or have Medicare due to a qualifying disability.
All plans on this page are available to beneficiaries in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Danville, Manassas, and all rural areas of Virginia.
Related: Compare 2022 Medicare Part D Plans in Virginia
Citations & References
medicare.gov- https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/
- What Medicare Part D drug plans cover | Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/what-medicare-part-d-drug-plans...
- Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/
- https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGe...
- CMS 1696 | CMS http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms-Items/CMS012207.htm...
- MACRA: MIPS & APMs | CMS https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instrumen...
- An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit | KFF https://www.kff.org/medicare/fact-sheet/an-overview-of-the-medicare-part-d-pr...
- Medicare Part D: A First Look at Prescription Drug Plans in 2020 – Issue Brie... https://www.kff.org/report-section/medicare-part-d-a-first-look-at-prescripti...
- 10 Things to Know About Medicare Part D Coverage and Costs in 2019 | KFF https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/10-things-to-know-about-medicare-par...
- Home | State Health Insurance Assistance Programs https://www.shiptacenter.org/
The Medicare Part D information in this directory originates from CMS Landscape Source Files, is maintained by David Bynon and was last updated on .