59,288 people enrolled in an Alaska Medicare Part D plan and 63,312 Prescription Drug Plan beneficiaries. There are also 784 current Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan enrollees in Alaska, which continues to grow yearly.

These plans carry numerous benefits that can help qualified residents lower their medication costs by covering what Original Medicare doesn’t.

Alaska Medicare Part D plans for 2024

Alaska Medicare Part D plans are one of the four parts of Medicare that cover prescription drug costs. They are independent plans sold by private insurance providers that can make your trips to the pharmacy more affordable.

We’ll explore several Alaska Medicare Part D plans and their benefits so you can find the best plan for you and your loved ones.

Part D plans with the lowest premium in Alaska

Every Alaska Medicare Part D plan requires beneficiaries to pay a monthly premium to remain enrolled. Although Medicare Part D plans with lower premiums might seem more affordable, they often carry higher annual deductibles. Finding a highly-rated Alaska Medicare Part D plan with premiums and deductibles within your price range is best.

Aetna offers 3-star Alaska Medicare Part D plans with $7.03 monthly premiums. They also have a $480 annual deductible. However, Aetna’s Part D plans don’t include gap coverage.

WellCare is another trusted insurance provider that carries 3-star Part D plans. These plans have an $8.40 monthly premium and a $480 annual deductible. Like Aetna, WellCare’s plans don’t sport gap coverage.

UnitedHealthcare offers 4-star Medicare Part D plans with $23.40 premiums. Beneficiaries also pay a $310 annual deductible. UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Part D plans are the only Alaskan policies that include gap coverage.

PLAN PREMIUM DEDUCTIBLE STAR RATING GAP COVERAGE
Aetna $7.30 $480 3 No
Wellcare $8.40 $480 3 No
Clear Spring $15.50 $480 2 No
Humana $22.70 $480 4 No
UnitedHealthcare $23.40 $310 4 Yes

Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible

Some Alaska Medicare Part D plans don’t have annual deductibles. However, these plans often carry a higher monthly premium, making them less ideal for enrollees that don’t require frequent medical attention.

WellCare offers 3-star Medicare Part D plans without annual deductibles. They also have $68.90 monthly premiums. However, WellCare’s plans don’t offer gap coverage.

Aetna also provides 3-star Medicare Part D plans. These plans have zero-dollar deductibles and a $69.70 premium. Aetna’s Plan D plans also include gap coverage.

UnitedHealthcare carries 3-star Part D plans with zero-dollar deductibles. Enrollees pay $95 monthly premiums. UnitedHealthcare’s Alaska Medicare Part D plans also provide gap coverage.

PLAN PREMIUM DEDUCTIBLE STAR RATING GAP COVERAGE
Wellcare $68.90 $0 3 No
Aetna $69.70 $0 3 Yes
UnitedHealthcare $95.00 $0 3 Yes

Part D plans with gap coverage in Alaska

Alaska Medicare Part D plans have four coverage phrases. The Coverage Gap phase, also called the donut hole, is the third phase within Medicare Part D plans. This phase requires enrollees to pay part of their medication costs.

However, some Part D plans provide full coverage for prescription drugs in specific tiers. Although most plans only cover tier-one prescriptions, they are exceedingly beneficial to qualified enrollees.

UnitedHealthcare offers 4-star Medicare Part D plans with gap coverage. These policies carry $23.40 premiums and $310 deductibles. UnitedHealthcare’s Part D plans currently have the highest star rating.

Cigna offers 3-star Medicare Part D plans. Its plans have $65 premiums, including gap coverage and a $100 deductible.

Aetna also provides 3-star Medicare Part D plans with gap coverage. They also carry zero-dollar annual deductibles. However, premiums cost $69.70 monthly.

PLAN PREMIUM DEDUCTIBLE STAR RATING GAP COVERAGE
UnitedHealthcare $23.40 $310 4 Yes
Cigna $65.00 $100 3 Yes
Aetna $69.70 $0 3 Yes
UnitedHealthcare $95.00 $0 3 Yes

Part D plans with a low-income subsidy in Alaska

Currently, 19,786 Alaska residents qualify for a low-income subsidy Medicare Part D plan. Below are a few low-income subsidy Medicare Part D plans.

WellCare offers 3-star low-income subsidy Medicare Part D plans. They have $27.10 premiums and a $480 deductible. However, these plans don’t include gap coverage.

Humana carries 4-star Part D plans without gap coverage. Premiums cost $30.40 monthly. Enrollees also pay a $480 annual deductible.

Cigna is another popular insurance provider that sells 3-star low-income subsidy Medicare Part D plans. Its policies sport $32.10 premiums and a $480 deductible. These plans don’t provide gap coverage.

PLAN PREMIUM DEDUCTIBLE STAR RATING GAP COVERAGE
Wellcare $27.10 $480 3 No
Humana $30.40 $480 4 No
Elixir $30.70 $480 3 No
Cigna $32.10 $480 3 No

Amount of beneficiaries that fall into each Part d coverage phase in Alaska

Medicare Part D phases consist of the following:

  • Deductible Phase
  • Initial Coverage Phase
  • Coverage Gap Phase (Donut Hole)
  • Catastrophic Phase

Every Alaska beneficiary falls into one of the four Medicare Part D phases. The graph below shows how many Alaska enrollees are in each phase.

Deductible Phase Initial Coverage Phase Coverage Gap Phase Catastrophic Phase
12,619 13,659 4,793 4,508

Alaskan cities with Medigap coverage’s estimated premiums

The following cities have handy illustrative charts for estimated Medicare Supplement premiums in Alaska:

FAQs

What does Part D include in Alaska?

Alaska Medicare Part D Plans help pay for enrollees’ prescription drug costs not included in Original Medicare. They are stand-alone policies sold by private insurance carriers.

What is required for Part D in Alaska?

Alaska residents must have Medicare Part A or Part B to enroll in a Part D policy. However, if a Medicaid beneficiary qualifies for a Medicare prescription benefit, they often automatically enroll in a Part D plan without premiums.

Do I need Part D if I have Medicare Advantage in Alaska?

Not necessarily. Some Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage. However, not every Medicare Advantage policy pays for prescriptions. Before committing to a specific policy, you must thoroughly research each program to ensure it fits your medical needs.

Can you opt-out of Medicare Part D in Alaska?

You can drop your Medicare Part D plan during the Open Enrollment Period. The Open Enrollment Period starts October 15 and ends December 7 each year.

What is the Part D penalty in Alaska?

It depends on how long you were uninsured. The longer you wait to sign up for Alaska Medicare Part D (or another creditable drug program), the higher the penalty.

Medicare multiplies one percent of the national base beneficiary premium by how many months you went without Part D.

How to get help signing up for a Medicare Part D plan in Alaska

Medigap.com makes signing up for Alaska Medicare Part D plans simple and stress-free. Our team works with all of Alaska’s private insurance carriers, making it easy to find a Medicare Part D plan for your medical needs.

We can help you and your family find a first-class Medicare Part D plan completely free of charge.

Call us today or complete our online rate form to receive the best rates in Alaska.

Written By:
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Lindsay Malzone, Lindsay Malzone is the Medicare editor for Medigap.com. She's been contributing to many well-known publications since 2017. Her passion is educating Medicare beneficiaries on all their supplemental Medicare options so they can make an informed decision on their healthcare coverage.
Reviewed By:
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Rodolfo Marrero, Rodolfo Marrero is one of the co-founders at Medigap.com. He has been helping consumers find the right coverage since the site was founded in 2013. Rodolfo is a licensed insurance agent that works hand-in-hand with the team to ensure the accuracy of the content.