During a recent calendar year, 106,744 Vermont residents signed up for a Medicare Part D plan. Of this number, 94,281 beneficiaries were Medicare Prescription Drug plan enrollees, and 15,407 enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan.
The number of annual Medicare Part D plan enrollments in Vermont increases yearly.
Vermont Medicare Part D plans for 2024
Medicare Part D plans cover prescription drugs under Original Medicare through private companies. Some leading Medicare Part D insurance providers include Aetna, Humana, and Cigna.
The sections below discuss the different Vermont Part D plans under various categories. Learn more about Part D plans with the lowest premiums, low-income subsidies, gap coverage, and zero-dollar deductibles below.
Part D plans with the lowest premium
At $7.40 per month, Vermont’s Aetna Medicare Part D plan has the lowest premium. However, even though this plan is the most affordable, its deductible of $480 equals that of the other plans.
Wellcare offers a plan at a slightly higher premium of $13 per month, and its deductible is the same as the Aetna plan. This plan offers a $0 deductible on Tier 1 and 2 drugs.
If you have a chronic health condition or take expensive prescription drugs, consider the plan from UnitedHealthcare. While this plan’s premium is slightly higher at $29.30 per month, it offers gap coverage with a deductible of only $310.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $7.40 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $13.00 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Cigna | $32.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
Zero-dollar deductible Part D plans
With a zero deductible plan, you can save significantly over the long run, especially if you expect high medical bills. Various Vermont Medicare Part D plans are available with a zero deductible, with some also offering gap coverage.
The Wellcare no-deductible plan also has the lowest premium at $69 per month. However, you don’t receive gap coverage with this plan.
Aetna offers a popular zero-dollar deductible plan for prescription medications. This plan has gap coverage, and its premium is relatively affordable at only $72.50.
The plan from Blue MedicareRX is the most effective and offers gap coverage. However, even though this is a zero-dollar deductible option, its $136.20 monthly premium is relatively high.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Wellcare | $69.00 | $0 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $72.50 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $101.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Blue MedicareRX | $136.20 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with gap coverage
Once your prescription medication costs equal $4,660, you need to pay 25% of this cost. Various Vermont Medicare Part D plans offer gap coverage for this percentage of costs.
The gap coverage plan from UnitedHealthcare is one of the most effective, with a relatively low premium of $29.30 per month. This plan offers a $0 deductible on Tier 1 drugs.
If you need a gap coverage plan offering a zero deductible, consider the plan from Aetna. This option has a premium of $72.50.
The Blue MedicareRX plan has a higher premium of $136.20. However, this gap coverage plan is effective with a deductible of $0.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Cigna | $55.60 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| Aetna | $72.50 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $101.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| Blue MedicareRX | $136.20 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Low-Income Subsidy Part D plans
Of Vermont’s 106,744 Medicare Part D beneficiaries, 29,178 are eligible for the low-income subsidy. These plans help beneficiaries reduce the costs of their prescription medications.
Part D plans with a low-income subsidy all have a deductible of $480 per month with no gap coverage. The plans from Cigna and Wellcare have the lowest monthly premiums of $33.50.
The UnitedHealthcare plan has a slightly higher premium of $35 but has the best star rating. This plan offers relatively low copays for prescription drugs.
With its low premium of $33.60, the low-income subsidy plan from Aetna is also a viable option for eligible enrollees. It offers a $0 deductible on Tier 1 and 2 drugs.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Cigna | $33.50 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $33.50 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $33.60 | $480 | 3 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $35.00 | $480 | 4 | No |
| Elixir | $36.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries in each Part D phase of coverage in Vermont
The Medicare Part D coverage gap, also called the “donut hole,” is the coverage phase after the initial period, when your total prescription drug costs reach a specific limit. If your expenses are in this gap, you must pay a percentage of your medication’s retail costs.
After spending the total out-of-pocket costs, you’re in the Catastrophic phase, which means you only pay up to 5% of your prescription medication’s retail prices.
This chart indicates the beneficiaries’ numbers in each coverage phase:
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 30,901 | 38,195 | 11,004 | 9,243 |
Estimated premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage in cities across Vermont
For the cities listed below, the estimated premiums for Medicare prescription drug coverage can be found by accessing the charts linked:
FAQs
What is Medicare Part D in Vermont?
Vermont Medicare Part D plans cover many prescription drugs for outpatients. Private carriers offer Part D coverage as an independent plan to Original Medicare enrollees or as a benefit set that’s part of the Medicare Advantage plan.
What drugs are covered by Medicare Part D in Vermont?
Vermont Medicare Part D plans only cover drugs that:
- Are prescription medication
- Have Food and Drug Administration approval
- Have a medically accepted purpose
- Are for sale within the United States
Which Medicare Part D plan is the most popular in Vermont?
The plans from the CVS Health subsidiary, Aetna, are the most popular in Vermont. These plans generally have low premiums and deductibles. The company’s gap coverage, zero-dollar deductible, and low-income subsidy plans are also relatively affordable, with the best ratings.
Do I need Medicare Part D if I don’t take any drugs in Vermont?
Enrolling in a Part D plan ensures coverage should you require treatment for a health condition. If you are healthy, consider a low-premium plan to minimize your long-term costs.
Can I add Part D at any time available in Vermont?
You can only sign up for a Medicare Part D plan in Vermont during the following periods:
Initial Enrollment Period: This period starts on the first day of the month, three months before your 65th birthday. Once your birthday month ends, you have another calendar quarter to enroll in a Part D plan.
Open Enrollment Period: Every year, from October 15 to December 7, the coverage begins on January 1.
We can help you sign up for a Medicare Part D plan in Vermont
Choosing the right Medicare Part D plan in Vermont can be challenging. At Medigap, we can compare programs and help you make an informed decision. We work with all plans, and our services are free.
Call us or complete our online contact form to get the best available rates in Vermont.
