Medicare Part D in Connecticut: Your Guide to Drug Plans in 2025
Finding the perfect Medicare Part D plan in Connecticut can be tough. You've got premiums, deductibles, and formularies to sort through, but don't worry, we've got your back. With 16 Medicare Part D Connecticut plans available in 2025, we'll help you narrow it down to the one that fits your health needs and budget.
We'll explain everything you need to know so you can make a confident, informed decision about your Medicare Part D coverage options.
Basic Medicare Part D Plans
Basic Medicare Part D plans offer essential drug coverage with lower premiums but may have higher out-of-pocket costs for certain medications. The following table links to all basic benefit Part D plans in Connecticut.
| Plan Name | Premium/Mo | Deductible | Rating* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC | $70 | $590 | ||
| Blue MedicareRx Value Plus | $50 | $590 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Assurance Rx | $89 | $590 | ||
| Clear Spring Health Value Rx | $6 | $590 | ||
| Humana Basic Rx Plan | $103 | $590 | ||
| SilverScript Choice | $51 | $590 | ||
| Wellcare Classic | $28 | $590 | ||
| * Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. | ||||
- Essential Drug Coverage: Basic plans cover a narrower range of medications, focusing on essential, lower-cost drugs. Ensure that your prescriptions are included in the plan’s formulary, as Basic plans may exclude higher-cost or specialty medications.
- Lower Monthly Premiums: Basic plans typically offer lower monthly premiums, making them a cost-effective choice if your medication needs are minimal or if you are primarily taking generic drugs.
- Higher Deductibles and Cost-Sharing: Expect higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs with Basic plans, especially for drugs not on the preferred list. If your medication needs increase, these costs could add up quickly.
Enhanced Medicare Part D Plans
Enhanced Medicare Part D plans provide broader drug coverage, often at a higher monthly premium. The following table links to all enhanced benefit Part D plans available in Connecticut.
| Plan Name | Premium/Mo | Deductible | Rating* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC | $108 | $0 | ||
| Blue MedicareRx Premier | $191 | $0 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Extra Rx | $113 | $175 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Saver Rx | $29 | $590 | ||
| Clear Spring Health Premier Rx | $74 | $590 | ||
| Humana Premier Rx Plan | $143 | $0 | ||
| Humana Value Rx Plan | $65 | $573 | ||
| Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Plus | $112 | $590 | ||
| Wellcare Value Script | $12 | $590 | ||
| * Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. | ||||
- Broader Drug Coverage: Enhanced plans generally offer more extensive coverage, including a broader range of brand-name and specialty drugs. This can be crucial if you require medications not covered by Basic plans.
- Higher Monthly Premiums: Enhanced plans may have higher monthly premiums, reflecting the broader coverage and additional benefits. Ensure that the increased premium aligns with your medication needs and overall budget.
- Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs: Although the premiums are higher, Enhanced plans often offer lower deductibles and reduced copayments or coinsurance for certain drugs. This could lead to overall savings if you require several medications.
Extra Help Medicare Part D Plans
Extra Help Medicare Part D plans significantly reduce prescription costs for eligible beneficiaries, offering lower premiums, deductibles, and copayments. This program is not part of Medicare Advantage plans. The following table shows all Extra Help Part D plans available in Connecticut.
| Plan Name | Premium/Mo | Deductible | Rating* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Medicare Rx Preferred from UHC | $108 | $0 | ||
| AARP Medicare Rx Saver from UHC | $70 | $590 | ||
| Blue MedicareRx Premier | $191 | $0 | ||
| Blue MedicareRx Value Plus | $50 | $590 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Assurance Rx | $89 | $590 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Extra Rx | $113 | $175 | ||
| Cigna Healthcare Saver Rx | $29 | $590 | ||
| Clear Spring Health Premier Rx | $74 | $590 | ||
| Clear Spring Health Value Rx | $6 | $590 | ||
| Humana Basic Rx Plan | $103 | $590 | ||
| Humana Premier Rx Plan | $143 | $0 | ||
| Humana Value Rx Plan | $65 | $573 | ||
| SilverScript Choice | $51 | $590 | ||
| Wellcare Classic | $28 | $590 | ||
| Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Plus | $112 | $590 | ||
| Wellcare Value Script | $12 | $590 | ||
| * Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. | ||||
- Significant Cost Savings: Extra Help plans are designed to lower your prescription drug costs, including premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Compare how much you can save with each plan, as some might offer more substantial reductions based on your specific medications.
- Coverage During the Coverage Gap: With Extra Help, you might receive continued drug coverage through the coverage gap (donut hole). This means your out-of-pocket medication costs could remain consistent throughout the year, providing more predictable expenses.
- Formulary and Drug Tiers: Even with Extra Help, reviewing the plan's formulary and drug tiers is essential to ensure your medications are covered and to understand any potential out-of-pocket costs. LIS plans might still have variations in copayments depending on the tier of your medications.
- Pharmacy Network Access: Some plans may offer lower copayments at preferred pharmacies. Verify that your regular pharmacy is included in the plan's network, or consider switching to a preferred pharmacy to maximize your savings.
- Impact on Plan Choice: If you qualify for Extra Help, it might influence which plans are most beneficial for you. Plans with higher premiums or deductibles that may not be affordable without assistance could become viable options under LIS, offering more comprehensive coverage.
Medicare Part D Plans Explained
First, let's simplify what Medicare Part D is and why it's so important, particularly here in Connecticut. Simply put, Medicare Part D is designed to help cover the cost of prescription drugs. Private insurance companies run it, which is a key difference from Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
This year, the average deductible in Connecticut for Medicare Part D is $452, but 3 plans offer a $0 deductible, which could translate into significant savings for you. It all depends on your prescriptions.
How Medicare Part D Plans Work
Every Medicare Part D plan provides coverage for a broad selection of medications, organized into a list called a formulary. This list details all the drugs that a particular plan covers. Because formularies can differ between plans, it’s crucial to review your plan’s formulary to ensure it includes the medications you need.
Formularies are also divided into different "tiers," which categorize drugs based on their cost. Typically, medications in the lower tiers have smaller copayments, while those in the higher tiers come with greater out-of-pocket costs.
For example, Tier 1 drugs often consist of generics with the lowest copayments. Tier 2 might include preferred brand-name medications at a higher cost, while Tiers 3, 4, and 5 generally cover specialty drugs, which are usually more expensive.
Your out-of-pocket expenses will depend on factors such as the plan you choose, the tier of your medications, and your current phase of coverage, whether it's the deductible phase or initial coverage phase.
How to Choose the Right Medicare Part D Connecticut Plan
Finding a Medicare Part D in Connecticut that aligns with your individual needs requires careful review of various factors. This ensures that your plan provides the right coverage while minimizing your out-of-pocket costs.Monthly Premium
The monthly premium is what you pay each month to keep your Medicare Part D plan active, like a subscription. While it may be tempting to choose the plan with the lowest premium, it’s crucial also to consider deductibles, copayments, and the extent of coverage.
Lower premiums often come with higher deductibles or more limited coverage, so finding a plan that balances affordable premiums with the coverage you need is important. This will help you avoid surprises later.
Annual Deductible
The annual deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket for your prescriptions before your Medicare Part D plan starts contributing.
If you take regular medications, selecting a plan with a lower deductible can save you money over time. However, a higher deductible plan could be more economical if you rarely need prescriptions.
Drug Formulary
Review the plan’s formulary, or list of covered medications, to ensure your prescriptions are included. Since formularies can change throughout the year, it’s a good idea to check during the Annual Enrollment Period to confirm that your necessary medications remain covered.
Also, take note of your medication's tier within the formulary, as this will directly impact your costs.
Pharmacy Network
Many plans have preferred pharmacy networks that offer discounted prices on medications, which can result in substantial savings. Ensure that your preferred pharmacies are in-network, and check if mail-order pharmacy options are available. Mail-order services can be particularly convenient and cost-effective for long-term prescriptions.
How Connecticut Part D Plans Work with Other Parts of Medicare
Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage, but how does it work alongside your other Medicare benefits? Let’s break it down for clarity:
Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare)
With Original Medicare, Part A covers hospital stays, and Part B covers doctor visits and other medical services, including medications administered during a visit. Part D is designed to cover the cost of prescription drugs you take at home, rounding out your overall coverage and ensuring you're protected on both fronts.
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap, help fill in the gaps left by Original Medicare, covering some copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. However, they don’t cover everything.
One notable exclusion is prescription drugs. You must enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan for medication coverage.
Combining a Medicare Supplement plan with a Part D plan can be especially beneficial if you take multiple prescriptions. Though you’ll pay separate monthly premiums for both, the combined coverage can help provide peace of mind, ensuring that your medical and drug costs are well-covered.
Medicare Advantage
Part D works differently if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, sometimes called Part C. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. This means you get your medical and prescription drug coverage bundled together.
However, some Medicare Advantage plans don't include Part D, allowing you to choose a stand-alone Part D plan.
Whether you choose Original Medicare with a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, the goal is to find what fits you best. Think about what prescriptions you take and your budget. This will help you make the best choice for your health needs.
Key Dates for Enrolling in a Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare has designated periods when you can enroll in or update your coverage. Here are the key dates you should know:
The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday. It's your first opportunity to sign up for Medicare Part D and avoid any potential late enrollment penalties.
The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): From October 15th to December 7th each year, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. This period is ideal for reviewing your current plan and making adjustments based on any changes in your healthcare needs.
The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period occurs every year from January 1st to March 31st for those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. During this time, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.
To stay informed, don't forget to bookmark our Medicare Enrollment Periods Guide.
Need Help Enrolling in a Connecticut Prescription Drug Plan?
Navigating and comparing Medicare Part D plans can sometimes be overwhelming, but help is just a phone call away. The experienced, licensed insurance agents at HealthCompare can assist you by phone at 1-833-748-3201 (Mon-Fri 5am-6pm, Sat 6am-5pm PST).
HealthCompare is ready to answer your questions, compare plans, and guide you through the enrollment process step by step.
Plans Offered Through Medicare.org
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.
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