Janie Slaven: TONI SAYS: Major change to Medicare Part D in 2024?

Janie Slaven, The Times-Tribune, Corbin, Ky.
·3 min read

Oct. 27—Toni:

This year, I got into the Medicare "Donut Hole" in July and got out of it in September. I am not sure what I will pay when I leave the Donut Hole. I can see from the Part D monthly statement that my prescription drug costs are exploding.

I've tried to research the 2024 Medicare Part D cost online, but it just confuses me. Please give me ideas to help control the Donut Hole cost or not get in it as fast. Thanks!

—Miriam from Tulsa, Okla.

Miriam:

Your prescription drug problem is a typical Donut Hole problem. Because the cost of brand name prescriptions is exploding, more on Medicare get into the Donut Hole quicker. In 2024, Medicare has raised the Donut Hole to $5,030 which can help someone not get into it as fast, but who knows what prescriptions will cost in 2024?

Miriam, when you left the Donut Hole in September, you entered what is called Catastrophic Coverage. For 2023 the cost to you is 5% of either brand name or generic drugs, which you will pay for the remainder of this year. For 2024, page 83 of the new Medicare & You handbook explains a major change to Medicare Part D Catastrophic Coverage which will help control the costs of prescriptions for those who enter Part D's final stage: "Starting January 1, 2024, once your out-of-pocket spending reaches $8,000 ... you won't have to pay a copayment or coinsurance for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year."

2024 Medicare Part D costs summary:

— Initial Deductible is $545.

— Initial Coverage Limit is $5,030 when the "Donut Hole" begins.

— Donut Hole (Coverage Gap) begins once the Medicare beneficiary reaches the Medicare Part D plan's initial coverage limit of $5,030. The beneficiary will then be responsible for only 25% of the prescription drug cost, while 70% is paid by the brand name/generic drug manufacturer and 5% paid by the enrolled Medicare Part D plan. The Donut Hole ends when the beneficiary reaches the exit point of $8,000 out-of-pocket.

— Catastrophic Coverage of $0 out-of-pocket begins after the $8,000 limit. Then Medicare will pick up all cost of the prescriptions, whether brand name or generic, and those with a Medicare Part D plan pay $0.

On Jan. 1 of each year, the process starts all over again with a new Medicare Prescription Drug plan and different costs, deductibles, and a new Donut Hole.

Since Oct. 1, when the 2024 Part D plans became available on Medicare.gov, the Toni Says Medicare team has seen drastic changes to Part D costs for those with expensive brand name prescriptions. Here are some Toni Says Tips to help you stay out of the Donut Hole or not get in it as soon:

1. Visit www.medicare.gov to view 2024 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. The website has a tool for helping you narrow your search for new Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans.

2. Talk to your Primary Care and specialty doctors about which brand name drugs can be changed to generics.

3. Get samples from your doctor.

4. Search prescription drug programs such as GoodRx or Single Care for less expensive prescription drug costs. Walmart, Kroger, HEB and Costco also have discount prescription drug plans.

Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664.