Alabama has 759,892 enrollees in Medicare Part D. Among them, 344,711 have stand-alone Alabama Medicare Part D plans, while 418,267 receive Part D benefits from a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan.
Alabama Medicare Part D plans for 2024
Medicare Part D is an optional Medicare add-on that covers prescription medication costs. Unlike Medicare Parts A and B, private insurance companies control and distribute Part D plans, so the prices vary from provider to provider and location to location.
We’ll examine the average prices for Part D plans in Alabama and a few popular Part D options and providers in the charts below.
Part D plans with the lowest premium in Alabama
Several Alabama Medicare Part D plans have low premiums, but Aetna’s Part D plan has the most affordable monthly payments with a $6.50 premium and a $480 deductible.
UnitedHealthcare’s Alabama Part D option has a higher average premium at $29.30 but stands out against other low-cost options with its low $310 deductible and gap coverage.
Humana’s low-premium Part D plan has a $22.70 monthly fee and a $480 deductible and is one of the best-regarded Part D plans in Alabama. It has a four-star rating on the five-tier scale for grading supplemental Medicare plans’ effectiveness.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $6.50 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring Health | $16.30 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible in Alabama
Most Alabama Medicare Part D plans with low premiums balance the cost with a high annual deductible, and plans with no deductible will typically have higher premiums. While you won’t have any yearly deductibles with these plans, you will pay more on average for premiums.
Aetna has the most affordable $0 deductible Part D plan in Alabama. It has a three-star rating, a $54.80 premium, and gap coverage.
Wellcare’s $0 deductible plan doesn’t come with gap coverage, but it has a three-star rating and a relatively low $68.90 premium.
UnitedHealthcare offers another $0 deductible Part D plan with gap coverage. It’s rated three stars and has a $97.40 premium.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $54.80 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Wellcare | $68.90 | $0 | 3 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $97.40 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Farm Bureau | $100.20 | $0 | 3 | No |
| BlueRx | $144.10 | $0 | 3 | No |
Part D plans with gap coverage in Alabama
UnitedHealthcare has two Alabama Medicare Part D plans with gap coverage, one with a low $29.30 premium and a $310 deductible and another with a $0 deductible and $97.40 premium.
Aetna has a Part D option with gap coverage and a $0 deductible. It’s rated three stars and has a required $54.80 monthly premium.
Cigna also has a popular Part D plan with gap coverage. It costs $57 per month in premiums and has a $100 deductible.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Aetna | $54.80 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Cigna | $57.00 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $97.40 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
Part D plans with a low-income subsidy in Alabama
Alabama offers Medicare Part D plans for low-income enrollees struggling to afford their prescription drug coverage. Of the 759,892 Part D beneficiaries in Alabama, 219,051 qualify for a low-income subsidy plan.
Clear Spring’s low-income subsidy Part D plan is one of the most affordable, with a $28.20 premium and $480 deductible.
Wellcare has a similarly priced low-income Part D option with an identical $480 deductible and a slightly higher $28.90 premium.
Humana’s low-cost option is slightly more than others but is one of the most popular low-income Alabama Medicare Part D plans. It has a four-star rating, a $31.30 premium, and a $480 deductible.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Clear Spring | $28.20 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Wellcare | $28.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $29.70 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Cigna | $30.20 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Humana | $31.30 | $480 | 4 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries that fall into each Part D coverage phase
Alabama Medicare Part D plans have four coverage phases: the Deductible Phase, the Initial Coverage Phase, the Coverage Gap Phase, and the Catastrophic Phase. Depending on your phase, you’ll have to pay more or less.
Your prescription medications cost the most during the Coverage Gap Phase (a.k.a. the “Donut Hole Phase”). But most Alabama enrollees are in the Deductible and Initial Coverage phases, during which they receive the most prescription coverage.
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 138,112 | 334,416 | 89,212 | 68,966 |
Cities with estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement coverage
We have charts for Medicare Supplement coverage premiums for the below cities:
FAQs
Is Medicare Part D worth getting in Alabama?
Alabama Medicare Part D plans are worth the cost if you take prescription medications since they provide reliable drug coverage. No Medigap plans in Alabama cover prescription drugs, and only a handful of specialized, often Medicare Advantage plans have medication coverage.
Is Medicare automatically deducted from Social Security in Alabama?
You can automatically pay for Medicare Part B from your Social Security benefits.
What drugs are not covered by Medicare Part D in Alabama?
Alabama Medicare Part D plans generally cover every drug aside from over-the-counter medications, weight control drugs, cosmetic medication, prescription cold medicines, and prescription vitamin supplements. Some Part D providers will deny access to prescriptions outside those if they don’t meet Drug Efficacy Study Implementation (DESI) criteria.
How do you qualify for Medicare Part D in Alabama?
Anyone 65 or older is eligible for Medicare Part D and can enroll three months before their 65th birthday. People with qualifying medical disabilities can also gain eligibility before turning 65.
How do I change my Medicare Part D plan in Alabama?
You can easily switch Alabama Medicare Part D plans during the Annual Enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
Get help choosing a Part D plan in Alabama for 2024
There are many Part D plans available in Alabama. We only included a few plans above. Give us a call to get an overview of all the options available in your area. Our licensed agents are ready to help you find a plan that gives you the coverage you need. You can also use our quote form to get rates now.
