Prescription drug coverage is a significant concern for most Medicare recipients. In Georgia and across the US, Medicare beneficiaries enroll in Medicare Part D plans to cover prescription drugs.
Georgia Medicare Part D plans have a total enrollment of 1,256,349. Of that total, 619,136 are prescription Drug Plan Enrollees, and 653,653 have enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, or MAPD plan.
Georgia Medicare Part D plans for 2024
Medicare Part D is insurance that covers prescriptions provided by private insurance companies. Medicare and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have standards for prescription drug coverage that each Part D drug plan must meet or surpass for approval.
Below, we’ll review the Medicare Part D plans available in Georgia, including their rates, premiums, and prescription coverage. We’ll answer some specific questions about Medicare Part D.
Part D plans with the lowest premium in Georgia
When shopping for Georgia Medicare Part D plans, one of the first things you look at is the monthly premium. In Georgia, several well-known insurance companies offer low-premium Part D coverage.
Aetna offers Medicare Part D coverage with the lowest premium at $6.90. Though the plan does not offer gap coverage, it has a 3-star rating and provides a $480 deductible on prescriptions.
The other end of the premium scale is , which charges $29.30 for its Part D plan. However, offers gap coverage and a lower deductible of only $310. It also has a higher rating of four stars.
Humana also offers a 4-star-rated plan. They don’t provide gap coverage, but the premium is reasonable at $22.70, and the deductible is comparable to Aetna’s at $480.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $6.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| WellCare | $12.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring | $18.20 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
| $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible in Georgia
Georgia Medicare Part D plans include several zero-deductible programs with 3- and 4-star ratings.
Aetna offers a zero-dollar deductible plan with a 3-star rating. The prescription coverage plan includes gap coverage and a premium of $62.40.
Also offers a 3-star, zero-dollar plan. The premium is higher at $104.20 but includes gap coverage.
Anthem’s 4-star Medicare Part D plan charges only $88.60 with no deductible or gap coverage.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $62.40 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| WellCare | $69.00 | $0 | 3 | No |
| Anthem | $88.60 | $0 | 4 | No |
| $104.20 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
Part D plans with gap coverage in Georgia
Gap coverage is essential when choosing between Georgia Medicare Part D plans.
The “Coverage Gap” is one of the four parts of Medicare Part D coverage and describes when Medicare limits how much they will pay for your medication until you have paid a certain amount out of pocket.
Gap coverage from your Part D insurance provider mitigates this.
charges a $0 premium for their Part D plan with gap coverage. The plan carries a 4-star rating and a $310 deductible.
Aetna offers a Georgia Medicare Part D plan with gap coverage and a $0 deductible for $62.40. The Aetna plan is 3-star rated.
Cigna offers a $65 premium plan with a low deductible of only $100. This Part D plan also includes gap coverage and features a 3-star rating.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| $0 | $310 | 4 | Yes | |
| Aetna | $62.40 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Cigna | $65.00 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| $104.20 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with a Low-Income Subsidy in Georgia
Georgie Medicare Part D plans are available with a Low-Income Subsidy. According to Georgia Medicare data, 354,829 beneficiaries are eligible for LIS1 (Low-Income Subsidy).
Humana offers the highest-rated low-income subsidy plan. This plan charges a premium of $30.90 and does not provide gap coverage. The deductible is $480.
WellCare offers a slightly less expensive plan at $29.10. The deductible is $480, and the program does not offer gap coverage.
Clear Spring offers the lowest premium for low-income subsidy plans at $26.50. The deductible is $480, and there is no gap coverage on this 2-star-rated plan.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Clear Spring | $26.50 | $480 | 2 | No |
| WellCare | $29.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $29.40 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Humana | $30.90 | $480 | 4 | No |
| Cigna | $32.40 | $480 | 3 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries in each Part D coverage phase in Georgia
Beneficiaries of a Medicare Part D plan fall into four coverage phases. In the first phase, the Deductible Phase, you start making payments toward your deductible. Once you have paid your deductible, you move to the Initial Coverage Phase. Your Part D plan insurance company will begin paying the agreed part of your prescription costs.
The Coverage Gap Phase, or “Donut Hole,” is when the insurance company can’t pay as much as they usually would under your Part D plan. During the Coverage Gap, you will be responsible for 25% of the costs and continue to pay at this rate until you reach $6,550. Once you hit that threshold, you enter phase four, the Catastrophic Phase.
You only have small copayments for the rest of the year, with your Medicare Part D plan covering the rest. The numbers in the chart below are the numbers of Georgia beneficiaries in each phase of Georgia Medicare Part D.
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 280,435 | 515,591 | 141,630 | 119,122 |
Georgia cities with Medicare Supplement coverage estimated premiums
You can find charts with estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement coverage for the below cities:
FAQs
What is the average cost of Part D Medicare in Georgia?
Georgia Medicare Part D plans adjust from year to year. The average price is $55.50.
Can you buy Medicare Part D by itself in Georgia?
To enroll in a Georgia Medicare Part D plan, you must have enrolled in either Medicare Part A or Part B. For a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan, you must have Part A and Part B.
Do I need Medicare Part D if I don’t take any drugs in Georgia?
Even if you are not on any prescription medications now, you should consider enrolling in a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan to avoid potential penalties.
Many plans are low-cost, with little or no monthly premiums.
When did Medicare Part D become mandatory in Georgia?
Medicare Part D became mandatory in Georgia on January 1, 2006. Congress implemented the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, which was part of the “Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.”
Who is eligible for Medicare Part D in Georgia?
You are eligible for prescription drug insurance if you are a Medicare beneficiary. If you have Medicare, you can enroll in Part D. You may also sign up for the Medicare Advantage plan, including prescription drug coverage.
How to get help signing up for a Medicare Part D plan in Georgia
We will assist if you are ready to sign up for one of the Georgia Medicare Part D plans available in your area. Our licensed insurance agents work with all the insurance carriers and can help you compare plans to find the best coverage for your needs.
We offer a free service, so call us today. Or complete our convenient online rate form to receive information about the best rates in your area of Georgia!
