Medicare Part D gives Medicare beneficiaries coverage for their prescription drugs. There are 2,989,723 beneficiaries enrolled in Texas Medicare Part D plans.
You can enroll in a standalone Part D or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan. There are 1,357,725 MAPD enrolled beneficiaries in Texas and 1,682,301 Part D standalone beneficiaries.
Texas Part D prescription drug plans for 2024
Part D plans are one of Medicare’s four sections covering prescription drugs. The costs and coverage of Part D plans vary by carrier. Below, we will review Texas Medicare Part D plans with the lowest premiums, $0 deductibles, gap coverage, and low-income subsidies.
Part D plans with the lowest premiums in Texas
All the below Texas Medicare Part D plans have a $480 deductible. Aetna has a monthly premium of $6.90, the lowest in the area.
Like Aetna, Wellcare’s Part D plan has a three-star rating, though it has a slightly higher premium of $12.90 per month.
Humana has a high four-star rating with a monthly premium of $22.70.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $6.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring Health | $17.70 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
| Cigna | $23.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible
The plans below all have $0 deductibles. Remember that plans with low or zero-dollar deductibles tend to have higher monthly premiums.
Aetna’s $0 deductible Part D plan has a monthly premium of $68.20, a three-star rating, and gap coverage. Similarly, Wellcare has a $69.00 and a three-star rating. However, it does not have gap coverage.
BCBS of Texas has a higher monthly premium of $154.90 and an impressive four out of five-star rating.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $68.20 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Wellcare | $69.00 | $0 | 3 | No |
| Amerigroup | $79.00 | $0 | 2 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $99.20 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| BCBS of Texas | $154.90 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with gap coverage
UnitedHealthcare’s Part D plan with gap coverage has a $310 deductible and a low monthly premium of $29.30.
If you want a $0 deductible and gap coverage plan, consider the other UnitedHealthcare plan with a three-star rating. You might also consider Aetna, which has a three-star rating and a premium of $68.20 per month.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Cigna | $63.10 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| Aetna | $68.20 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| BCBS of Texas | $87.10 | $480 | 4 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $99.20 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
Part D plans with a Low-Income Subsidy
A low-income subsidy (LIS) helps beneficiaries reduce their prescription drug costs. In Texas, there are 751,120 LIS-eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Since LIS reduces prescription costs, none of the below plans offer gap coverage.
Wellcare’s Part D plan with LIS has a $480 drug deductible and a monthly premium of $21.70
Cigna and Aetna offer similar three-star plans with drug deductibles of $480. Cigna’s plan has a monthly premium of $23.10, while Aetna’s premium is $23.70 per month.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Wellcare | $21.70 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Cigna | $23.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $23.70 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Humana | $23.90 | $480 | 4 | No |
| Elixir | $25.00 | $480 | 3 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries that fall into each Part D coverage phase in Texas
Medicare Part D consists of four different phases of coverage: the deductible phase, the initial coverage phase, the coverage gap phase, and the catastrophic phase. The cost of prescriptions is highest during the coverage gap.
The coverage gap phase is also known as the donut hole phase, during which beneficiaries must pay a certain percentage of their prescription drugs. The chart below shows the number of Medicare beneficiaries in each coverage phase.
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 821,248 | 1,117,284 | 339,615 | 269,190 |
Estimated premiums for Part D coverage in Texas cities
The attached charts provide estimated premium information for the various types of Medicare prescription drug coverage in the following cities:
FAQs
What drugs are covered by Medicare Part D in Texas?
Medicare Part D plans divide covered drugs into four or five tiers, each with different copays. All Texas Medicare Part D plans cover anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antineoplastics, antipsychotics, antiretrovirals, and immunosuppressants.
Part D plans don’t cover over-the-counter medications such as cough medicine or prescription vitamins.
How much does Medicare Part D cost in Texas?
The cost of a Medicare Part D plan in Texas depends on various factors, including the carrier and ZIP code. In addition, each tier on a plan’s formulary will have different copays depending on the drug.
How do I qualify for Medicare Part D in Texas?
All Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for Medicare Part D, regardless of income or health. You can enroll in a new Part D plan during your Initial Enrollment Period or during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7.
What documentation do I need to enroll my mother in Medicare Part D in Texas?
You need power of attorney to enroll your mother in Medicare Part D. You can complete a paper enrollment or online enrollment form for the carrier.
What is the most popular Medicare Part D plan in Texas?
Texas Medicare beneficiaries have several options for Medicare Part D plans. The most popular as of 2022 in Texas are Humana, AARP, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
How to get help signing up for a Medicare Part D plan in Texas
We know how overwhelming it can be to find the right plan. We work with every carrier and can help you compare Texas Medicare Part D plans to find the right one. Call or fill out our online form to compare quotes for free.
