Washington Medicare Part D plans are one way to get your prescription drugs covered under Medicare. There are 863,177 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare drug coverage. Of those enrolled, 483,578 get their drug coverage from Part D and 411,940 through Part C.
Washington Medicare Part D plans for 2024
Part D plans are stand-alone drug coverage that pairs with Original Medicare and Medigap plans. They are one of the four parts of Medicare.
These plans are monitored by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. All Medicare drug coverage must follow the guidelines set forth by the standard model. They can provide coverage that is superior to this model.
The prescription coverage model includes four coverage phases. As beneficiaries pick up their prescriptions from the pharmacies throughout the year, they transition through the coverage phases.
The phases include a deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap, aka Donut hole, and the catastrophic phase.
This article discusses Part D plans with the lowest premium. Next, we’ll cover which plans don’t require a deductible.
Following that, we’ll tell you about a few plans that give additional coverage in the donut hole and some plans that work well with the extra help program.
Finally, we’ll cover how many beneficiaries are in each phase and answer some common questions.
Part D plans with the lowest premium
Regarding Part D coverage, SilverScript is one of the leading names that come to mind. CVS Aetna owns them and have the lowest premium in Washington. They have been one of the top Prescription Drug sponsors year in and year out.
The second-lowest monthly cost drug plan is Wellcare. The Centene-owned company is one of the premier Medicare companies in the US. Their cheapest drug plan comes in at $11.60 per month.
Clear Spring rounds out the lowest three drug plans. They’re a newer company but for some beneficiaries, their drug coverage needs are covered best by this company. They do have a low star rating but are working hard to improve.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $7.70 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $11.60 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring | $16.20 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Elixir | $20.30 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible
As mentioned above, plans can provide better coverage than the standard model. Below are some examples of plans that don’t require a deductible. Some plans have no deductible; others only apply it to certain drug tiers.
Wellcare’s plan has the lowest premium of zero-deductible Washington Medicare Part D plans. Followed closely by Aetna’s SilverScript.
UnitedHealthcare comes in with a premium of just over $100 monthly on their prescription plan without a deductible.
Keep in mind, that choosing the right plan for you is determined by the prescriptions you’re taking. You should review your options carefully with a licensed insurance broker to ensure you get the plan that fits your needs.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Wellcare | $68.90 | $0 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $75.30 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $101.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Asuris Northwest | $114.50 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
Part D plans with gap coverage
The coverage gap is one of the scariest parts of Medicare. Partially because your costs aren’t predictable and are usually more expensive in this phase. A few companies offer plans that will offer some relief during this phase.
UnitedHealthcare has a 4-star rated plan that gives protection in the donut hole. UHC is the leading provider of Medicare coverage throughout the United States.
Cigna is one of the oldest insurance companies still in existence. They have great coverage for certain prescription drugs.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Cigna | $50.60 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| Aetna | $75.30 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $101.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Asuris Northwest | $114.50 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
Part D plans with a Low-Income Subsidy
There are a few programs around that help beneficiaries with low income. The Low-Income Subsidy program helps by offsetting the cost of select Part D and Part C plans, as well as lowering the deductible, and prescription costs.
The LIS program is also referred to as the Extra Help program. Currently, there are 211,347 Washington Medicare beneficiaries receiving this assistance.
It’s no surprise to see which carriers are at the top of this list. The carriers shown below would lower their premiums and deductibles to zero for beneficiaries receiving the full level of extra help.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $32.70 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring | $33.50 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Wellcare | $35.50 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Cigna | $36.40 | $480 | 3 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $36.50 | $480 | 4 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries that fall into each Part D coverage phase
As mentioned above, Medicare drug coverage has four phases. Fortunately, most people fall in the dreaded donut hole, the coverage gap phase. Below we’ll show how many people are in each phase of coverage.
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 256,785 | 393,423 | 85,498 | 61,865 |
Check out Washington cities for Part D prescription drug plan rates!
Check out the linked charts to see the estimated premiums for different types of prescription drug coverage in the cities listed below:
FAQs
What’s the top Part D plan in Washington?
SilverScript has been one of the nation’s top plans for several years. Everyone’s needs are different so the top plan for you may be different for someone else. That’s why it’s best to consult a licensed insurance agent for assistance.
What’s the average cost of Part D in Washington?
The average monthly premium for Washington Medicare Part D plans is around $33 monthly. Depending on your prescriptions, your plan may have a higher or lower premium based on your needs.
What’s the maximum out-of-pocket on a Washington Part D Plan?
Medicare prescription coverage doesn’t have a maximum out-of-pocket. Your costs will be lowered once you pay $7,550 for the year. You’ll still be responsible to pay when you pick up your prescriptions.
How to get help signing up for a washinton Medicare Part D plan
Signing up for a Part D plan is one of Medicare’s most important and difficult parts. You must choose a plan that adequately covers your prescriptions and understand any special authorizations you need.
We would love to help. Our expert agents specialize in all things Medicare and can assist in every portion of the process. Whether you have several prescriptions or none, we can show you which plans will work best for your situation.
We’re just a phone call away. If now isn’t the best time, please fill out our online request form, and we’ll contact you.
