The Best Life

Top Medicare Drug Plan Premium Hikes

By Philip Moeller

Posted: November 20, 2008

Here are the 2009 premium increases for the 10 most popular Medicare Part D stand-alone drug plans. Open enrollment for 2009 coverage runs until December 31. Experts say this year's changes and big price increases make it worthwhile to carefully evaluate alternative plans.

Plan 2008 Enrollment 2009 Premium % Increase from 2008
AARP MedicareRx Preferred 2,745,266 $37.03 15.5%
Humana PDP Standard 1,500,758 40.83 60.0
Humana PDP Enhanced 1,426,756 38.21 63.7
Community CCRx Basic 1,097,581 30.18 21.1
AARP MedicareRx Saver 829,585 28.69 8.0
WellCare Classic 616,255 28.93 16.8
SilverScript Value 489,785 27.86 34.9
MedicareRx Rewards Value** 293,818 33.99 34.0
Prescriba Rx Bronze 452,924 28.30 20.1
Health Net Orange Option 1 448,512 27.31 41.6
Top 10 Plans 9,901,240 34.43 30.6
All Plans 16,138,643 37.10 24.1

*Actual monthly premiums differ within plans across geographic regions. Average premiums are weighted, or adjusted, to reflect plan enrollment sizes in these regions.

**Medicare Rx is discontinuing service to many geographic regions in 2009; its 2008 enrollment includes only customers in regions it will continue serving.

Source: Avalere Health LLC

Cost of health plan

I participate in a retirement state government plan. My husband is on medicare and I am not old enough to be on medicare. I just received notice my health insurance is going up to $1250.00 per month. We have a drug benefit that after $500 family is paid we no are required to pay for drugs after that time for a year. We take so many drugs I can not see away of not paying for this policy. Where can I find comparison of plans with drug plans do not want to fall into the doughnut hole

Help

Pat of IA @ Nov 08, 2009 14:47:59 PM

drug

i paid 1595 for 200 blood pressure 40mg at costco pill benazepril

vincent regan of TN @ Dec 04, 2008 14:01:33 PM

you are sad

you are sad

vincent regan of TN @ Dec 04, 2008 13:53:57 PM

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The Best Life

The Best Life

Contributing editor Philip Moeller writes about the people, ideas and programs that provide "best life" retirement solutions and opportunities.

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