Just checked my 2025 options for Part D Drug Plans on Medicare.gov.
For 2024, I pay a premium of $3.30/month ($39.60/yr) and get 2 of the drugs I take for “free”. The 3rd would cost me $1240/yr if I use the insurance. I pay cash and get a year’s supply for $360 using a Good Rx coupon. So for 2024, premium + drugs cost me $400 for the year.
For 2025, there are 12 plans available in my zip code.
In 11 of the 12 plans the premium + annual drug cost price ranged from $900/yr to $2100 per year.
The last one was a $0 month premium with 2 “free” drugs and a $15 co-pay for a 90-day supply ($60/yr) for the drug I was buying for $350/yr with the Good Rx coupon.
So for 2025, my premium + drug cost will be $60/year down from $400 in 2024.
It’s apparent to me that they’re funding the $2,000 out-of pocket limit by ramping up the price gouging on generics. Make sure you’re checking generic drug prices against Good Rx or Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs. Less than 10% of Medicare beneficiaries will bump up against the $2,000 out-of-pocket limit (even with the insurance company price gouging). It may make sense to pay cash if you’re annual drug costs are below that using a Good Rx coupon.
intercst