Best Michigan Medicare Part D Plans for 2024

Michigan Medicare Part D plans are one of the ways you can get prescription coverage with Medicare. In Michigan, there are 1,616,861 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in drug coverage.

While most people enrolled in Medicare have drug coverage, in Michigan, it breaks down to 1,108,313 use a stand-alone Part D plan while 530,765 get their prescription coverage through Medicare Advantage plans.

Michigan Medicare Part D prescription drug plans

Private insurers such as Wellcare or UnitedHealthcare administer the Michigan Medicare Part D plans. Part D is one of the four parts of Medicare. These plans are coverage for prescription drugs that you get from your pharmacy.

Below we will discuss a few companies with the lowest premium. Then we will discuss companies with a zero-deductible, followed by plans that protect you from the coverage gap.

Finally, we will cover low-income subsidies for drug coverage and the coverage phases of drug coverage.

Part D plans with the lowest premium in Michigan

Aetna is one of the largest insurance companies in the United States and is owned by CVS, giving them a huge leg up on prescription drug coverage.

They have the lowest plan in America through their SilverScript brand, with a monthly premium of under eight dollars a month.

Wellcare has the second-lowest plan. With backing from their parent company Centene, they are solidifying themselves as a significant player in the Medicare Marketplace. Wellcare has the second-lowest premium in Michigan, just under $12.

Prescription drug plans with a zero-dollar deductible

Drug plans can choose not to use a deductible in their coverage model. Several programs don’t have deductibles, and we listed four below. We discussed Aetna and Wellcare above, but it’s no surprise they have options without a deductible.

UnitedHealthcare has been a leader in the Medicare space for many years. Backed by AARP, many loyal clients love their service and coverage.

BCBS of Michigan is a titan to run up against in Michigan. Since they only have coverage options in Michigan, they are uniquely suited to look deeper into the needs of Michiganders.

BCBS of Michigan members seems pleased with the customer service and how the company treats them.

Prescription drug plans with gap coverage

Ah, the dreaded coverage gap. You know, the part of the Medicare drug program that Congress always says they intend to close.

It remains but is not nearly as bad as it used to be. It can still hurt your pocket when you fall into it. In the coverage gap, you pay 25% of the cost of the prescription.

The chart below shows insurance companies that offer Part D plans that give some protection through the coverage gap.

These plans will all have different coverage gap protection, so speak with a licensed agent to see if these gap plans help with your drugs in the gap.

Again it’s no surprise to see Aetna and UnitedHealthcare on the list, but we see Cigna showing up on the list for the first time.

Cigna is one of the oldest insurance companies and has always committed itself to excellence in the customer experience. Cigna drug plans are hard to beat if you take specific prescriptions.

Coverage gap coverage may not be important to everyone, but one of these plans could ease a financial burden for those beneficiaries that hit the coverage gap each year.

Prescription drug plans with a Low-Income Subsidy

Low-Income Subsidy, or Extra Help, is a federal program that assists low-income Medicare beneficiaries with their drug plan premiums, copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Several different levels of Low-Income Subsidy determine how much you will have to pay.

Each state has a different limit on the amount premiums can be lowered, but in many cases, if you receive the full Extra Help benefit, you could have a zero-dollar premium.

As mentioned above, the amount of the lowered premium is set individually by the state. Many plans will have a lower or even zero-dollar premium if you receive the Low-Income Subsidy.

Below are a few plan options that would qualify to have the premium and deductible reduced or even deleted, depending on your level of Extra Help.

At a glance, you can see the usual suspects and Clear Spring. Clear Spring is a relatively new company storming into the Part D market. They have good plans and are relatively new, but expect them to continue to improve and become a staple in Medicare Part D.

Beneficiaries that fall into each Part D coverage phase in Michigan

Medicare Part D in Michigan has four phases outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also called CMS. All Medicare prescription drug coverage must fall within the guidelines of the coverage phases.

Remember that the plans can elect to cover better than the standard guideline. For example, they don’t have to charge a deductible.

The four coverage stages are Deductible, Initial, Coverage Gap, and Catastrophic.

The Deductible Phase allows plans to charge a deductible up to the limit set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the plan year.

Once you hit the plan deductible, you start the Initial Coverage Phase if applicable. During this phase, you will pay the plan copay or coinsurance set forth by the plan.

Once the cost of your drugs, not what you have paid, reaches the coverage gap limit set for the year, you will fall into the Coverage Gap Phase.

This phase is also called the donut hole. Once you have paid your TROOP, meaning once you pay out of pocket the limit set, you will pass through the coverage gap and start the Catastrophic Phase.

In the catastrophic phase, drug costs are lowered again with a maximum of 5% of the cost of the drug.

Below you will see how many beneficiaries in Michigan fall into each phase annually.

Cities in Michigan with estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement plans

When deciding on Michigan Medicare Supplemental coverage, seeing the numbers is helpful. So we’ve created charts for the following major cities:

• Detroit
• Grand Rapids
• Lansing
• Sterling
• Warren

FAQs

How much does a drug plan cost in Michigan?

The drug plans will range in cost and how they cover your prescriptions. Michigan’s lowest-cost Medicare Part D drug plan is the SilverScript at $7.50. The most expensive prescription plan is BCBS of Michigan at $113.70.

Should I take a Part D plan in Michigan if I’m not taking any prescriptions?

You’re not required to enroll in a Part D plan. If you’re eligible and don’t enroll, you will likely receive a penalty when you decide to enroll in one later.

What’s the best Part D plan in Michigan?

Since everyone’s needs differ, there isn’t a clear answer to the best plan. Speak to a licensed broker to ensure you get the best plan for your situation. They can enter your prescriptions and show you the best plans to cover them.

How to enroll in a Michigan Medicare part d plan

We all know that Medicare Drug coverage is among the most complex to understand. Let us make it easy for you. Call us, and one of our licensed experts can check your medications and provide you with the best plans that fit what you take.

We specialize in Medicare and enjoy helping make the process quick and easy for everyone. If now is not the best time, fill out our online request form, and we’ll have a licensed agent reach out to assist.