California Medicare Part D Plans
California Medicare Part D plans are not created equal
If you are new to Medicare and need to enroll in a Part D plan, don’t assume that it doesn’t matter which plan to choose. Or worse yet don’t enroll in the plan with the lowest monthly premium and assume that you got the best deal.
There are 33 California Part D plans for 2012 and no two plans are the same. Monthly premiums range from $15.10 to $114.90. Both the highest and lowest monthly premiums are offered by plans from Humana. But there are many other plans to choose from and the premium is not the only determinant as to the ultimate annual cost.
Aside from the monthly premium, the plan formulary, deductible and copaymens/coinsurance amounts factor into the annual cost of each plan. But before you begin to compare costs you should narrow your list of options to plans that include all of your required medications. If your drugs are not covered you could really find yourself with some high out-of-pocket costs.
The following list includes information to help narrow your search. Aside from monthly premium you can compare plan deductibles, type of plan (basic or enhanced), whether there is coverage in the gap and the Medicare Star rating assigned to each plan.
Compare Quotes for Medicare Advantage Plans in California
California Part D
Blue Shield of California
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Shield Medicare Premium Plan (PDP) | Enhanced | $108.20 | $0 | Many Generics and Some Brands | 4 |
| Blue Shield Medicare Basic Plan (PDP) | Basic | $41.10 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 4 |
| Blue Shield Medicare Enhanced Plan (PDP) | Enhanced | $55.60 | $0 | Many Generics | 4 |
Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Co
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross MedicareRx Standard (PDP) | Basic | $39.30 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| Blue Cross MedicareRx Plus (PDP) | Enhanced | $62.80 | $0 | Some Generics | 2.5 |
| Blue Cross MedicareRx Gold (PDP) | Enhanced | $107.30 | $0 | Many Generics and Some Brands | 2.5 |
SilverScript Insurance Company
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVS Caremark Value (PDP) | Basic | $28.20 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
| CVS Caremark Plus (PDP) | Enhanced | $81.90 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
CIGNA Medicare Rx
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIGNA Medicare Rx Plan One (PDP) | Basic | $56.20 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
Medco Medicare Prescription Plan
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medco Medicare Prescription Plan – Value (PDP) | Basic | $34.80 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 4 |
| Medco Medicare Prescription Plan – Choice (PDP) | Enhanced | $82.50 | $150 | Many Generics | 4 |
Health Net
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Net Orange Option 1 (PDP) | Basic | $31.90 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
| Health Net Orange Option 2 (PDP) | Enhanced | $87.60 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
United American Insurance Company
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United American – Preferred (PDP) | Enhanced | $54.80 | $80 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| United American – Select (PDP) | Basic | $37.60 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
First Health Part D
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Health Part D Premier (PDP) | Basic | $38.70 | $250 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| First Health Part D Value Plus (PDP) | Enhanced | $28.90 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| First Health Part D Premier Plus (PDP) | Enhanced | $107.30 | $0 | Some Generics and Some Brands | 3 |
Community CCRx PDP
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community CCRx Basic (PDP) | Basic | $48.90 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
| Community CCRx Choice (PDP) | Enhanced | $91.50 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
Aetna Medicare
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna CVS/pharmacy Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) | Basic | $26.00 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| Aetna Medicare Rx Premier (PDP) | Enhanced | $92.20 | $0 | Many Generics | 2.5 |
UnitedHealthCare
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP MedicareRx Preferred (PDP) | Basic | $48.20 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
| AARP MedicareRx Enhanced (PDP) | Enhanced | $96.10 | $0 | Some Generics | 3 |
Humana Insurance Company
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Enhanced (PDP) | Enhanced | $43.20 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
| Humana Complete (PDP) | Enhanced | $114.90 | $0 | Many Generics and Some Brands | 3 |
| Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan (PDP) | Basic | $15.10 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 3 |
HealthSpring Prescription Drug Plan
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HealthSpring Prescription Drug Plan-Reg 32 (PDP) | Basic | $53.00 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
WellCare
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WellCare Signature (PDP) | Enhanced | $55.40 | $0 | No Gap Coverage | 3.5 |
| WellCare Classic (PDP) | Basic | $31.50 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 3.5 |
Bravo Health
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BravoRx (PDP) | Basic | $37.10 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
EnvisionRx Plus
| Medicare Part D Plan Name | Benefit Type | Premium | Deductible | Gap Coverage | Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EnvisionRxPlus Silver (PDP) | Basic | $29.60 | $320 | No Gap Coverage | 2.5 |
| Rite Aid EnvisionRxPlus (PDP) | Enhanced | $78.60 | $0 | Some Generics | 2.5 |
Part D formularies
The most important consideration when choosing a California Part D plan is the plan’s formulary. The formulary will list all medications covered by the plan as well as which tiers those drugs are placed in. Tier placement is often overlooked when choosing a plan. You should pay particular attention to a drug’s tier placement as drugs can be placed in different tiers by different plans. A drugs tier placement will determine the copay or coinsurance amount when you fill a prescription.
Once you have narrowed your choice from the above list you should visit the plan’s website and research the formulary. You can also get information about the plan’s pharmacy network as well as any additional benefits including mail order options. It’s important to make the right choice when choosing a Medicare drug plan because you are limited as to when you can change plans, especially mid-year.
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