I wanted to mention for those who are interested that the SS COLA was announced this morning to be 2.8% for 2026. Not really needing a discussion, just offering the information. Chris
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These drug plans are all over the map. Last year UHC $0 deductible went to $91.30 per month each for me and my wife. Changed to Wellcare, last year $0 per month deductible $590. Overall savings over $1000 each. Next year 2026 Wellcare is at $9.60 per month each. As others have indicated, we all need to check these companies, every year. Listen to this scenario: 60 pills Augmentin at Walgreens $81.41, at BJH Hospital Pharmacy $19.53, exact same drug with insurance. I later found out Walgreens could have used GoodRX and with no insurance price about $20. Companies play games with drugs, that only cost us the consumer. Always be aware even if you have Part D and drug insurance. We need to fix this, as I believe it is out of hand.
Check out costplusdrugs. I’m moving my prescriptions there. Lower cost than even goodrx. The company’s goal is transparency and lowering cost by removing middlemen (pharmacy benefit managers etc.)
I include evaluation of drug prices at Costco and GoodRx when evaluating which Medicare Plan D to choose. Costco or GoodRx prices are sometimes lower than my Plan D prices. It’s a bit of work to do this and it is unfortunate that prices are so varied via different insurance sources adding so much complexity.
My Part D premium is going down from $17 to $6 per month in 2026 (Wellcare). I used to have Silverscript (2024), but it’s well above $100 in my area. I don’t understand how it can be so different.
I don’t know if it’s of any interest to you all, I noticed an email in my inbox this morning. Fritz Gilbert of the Retirement Manifesto web site was doing some webcast about the topic you’re talking about.
I believe Medicare part B is increasing to $206, from $185. About an 11% increase if those numbers are correct. My Medicare supplement policy renews in January. That should be fun.
And I haven’t even received the increase for Medigap coverage yet. I’m pretty sure we will be near $2500 a month for both of us for all coverages including Medicare.
The most common time for a premium increase is in the month your policy first started like my Medigap plan but when the annual premium change occurs depends on the insurance company plan.
I think it is important to note, my understanding, that the $2,100 2026 out of pocket cap only applies to prescription drugs that are included in your Plan D plan coverage. For me, the cost of the covered drugs is a secondary consideration.
Thus, using the Medicare drug plan review tool for the upcoming year is critical to my decision to review annually.
I have asthma. Here is my evaluation that leads me to use GoodRx for my particular drug of choice instead of the non-covered price of a particular Plan D plan:
Wixela 250-50mc prices: Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) – 440.00/month * 12 = $5280.00 (Not Covered Under Formulary)
Costco (No Insurance) – 80.99/month * 12 = $971.88
GoodRx (No Insurance) – 56.66/month * 12 = $679.92
I have typically gone with the higher cost premium drug plan based on the following reasoning-
Example – Using the Medicare Part D search tool for just Wixela (2026) for my zip code I get a total annual cost of
$1,762.71 Estimated total drug + premium cost
My 2026 annual premiums total $1,431.60 ($119.30/month). A lot decisions depend on the tiers of the drugs one takes and how many different high tier drugs you take.
I try to look at my total expected costs and make my Part D plan decision including my unexpected future additions to my drug list. Those unexpected / unknowable future drug needs causes me to lean towards the more comprehensive (and higher premium cost) drug plans.
I agree with you on incorporating into your plan a potential need to have coverage for drugs that you are currently not taking. That is important.
I did weigh that in my decision. At this point I am in very good health (but you never know what will happen) so I decided to bet on that good health to save $ under the current situation. I also worked under the premise that if things do change, I can change my selected Plan D next year (for 2027), realizing that it would be too late for coverage of unanticipated expense for drugs I might have to end up taking this year.
As I age, or earlier as my health changes, I probably won’t be so aggressive in my choice.
Mine went up, but only from zero to $3.50 a month. You really need to compare plans, as Magoo says. What is in the formulary makes a big difference. Right now I take very few drugs, so I don’t need a fancy plan.
There are many factors, but they all have to help pay for the changes. It could be the previous prices were too high. They all get drugs from the same sources, but the have different operating costs and different enrolled populations.
Our Pard D premium has been $0 the last couple years. I was expecting a substantial increase as well. We met with our agent this morning. Our current Wellcare premiums did indeed rise. We will be switching to Humana and will remain at $0 per month, with no significant increases to our co-pays.
I’d imagine you have, but everyone should be reminded to compare Medicare Part D (Rx) plans every year during the renewal period (October 15 to December 7):
And make sure to include your anticipated medications in the bottom line comparison, as formulary drugs lists can change every year for each company potentially making the cheapest plan one year not the cheapest the next.
These drug plans are all over the map. Last year UHC $0 deductible went to $91.30 per month each for me and my wife. Changed to Wellcare, last year $0 per month deductible $590. Overall savings over $1000 each. Next year 2026 Wellcare is at $9.60 per month each. As others have indicated, we all need to check these companies, every year. Listen to this scenario: 60 pills Augmentin at Walgreens $81.41, at BJH Hospital Pharmacy $19.53, exact same drug with insurance. I later found out Walgreens could have used GoodRX and with no insurance price about $20. Companies play games with drugs, that only cost us the consumer. Always be aware even if you have Part D and drug insurance. We need to fix this, as I believe it is out of hand.
Check out costplusdrugs. I’m moving my prescriptions there. Lower cost than even goodrx. The company’s goal is transparency and lowering cost by removing middlemen (pharmacy benefit managers etc.)
I include evaluation of drug prices at Costco and GoodRx when evaluating which Medicare Plan D to choose. Costco or GoodRx prices are sometimes lower than my Plan D prices. It’s a bit of work to do this and it is unfortunate that prices are so varied via different insurance sources adding so much complexity.
My Part D premium is going down from $17 to $6 per month in 2026 (Wellcare). I used to have Silverscript (2024), but it’s well above $100 in my area. I don’t understand how it can be so different.
I don’t know if it’s of any interest to you all, I noticed an email in my inbox this morning. Fritz Gilbert of the Retirement Manifesto web site was doing some webcast about the topic you’re talking about.
Oh thanks, Mark. I subscribe to Fritz but hadn’t seen. C
I believe Medicare part B is increasing to $206, from $185. About an 11% increase if those numbers are correct.
My Medicare supplement policy renews in January. That should be fun.
I did see that; it’s quite an increase
My Part D plan is going from &17.00 to $78 a month.
Mr. Quinn: You’re getting hit as bad as us in NYS.
And I haven’t even received the increase for Medigap coverage yet. I’m pretty sure we will be near $2500 a month for both of us for all coverages including Medicare.
The most common time for a premium increase is in the month your policy first started like my Medigap plan but when the annual premium change occurs depends on the insurance company plan.
Ooofff. Hope you look at alternatives
You may want to consider changing your Part D plan. It is easy to do. Here is a YouTube video showing how.
Unlikely to make much difference. They are all going up to help pay for the $2100 out of pocket cap.
I think it is important to note, my understanding, that the $2,100 2026 out of pocket cap only applies to prescription drugs that are included in your Plan D plan coverage. For me, the cost of the covered drugs is a secondary consideration.
Thus, using the Medicare drug plan review tool for the upcoming year is critical to my decision to review annually.
Exactly.
I have asthma. Here is my evaluation that leads me to use GoodRx for my particular drug of choice instead of the non-covered price of a particular Plan D plan:
Wixela 250-50mc prices:
Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) – 440.00/month * 12 = $5280.00 (Not Covered Under Formulary)
Costco (No Insurance) – 80.99/month * 12 = $971.88
GoodRx (No Insurance) – 56.66/month * 12 = $679.92
Hi Doug,
I have typically gone with the higher cost premium drug plan based on the following reasoning-
Example – Using the Medicare Part D search tool for just Wixela (2026) for my zip code I get a total annual cost of
$1,762.71 Estimated total drug + premium cost
My 2026 annual premiums total $1,431.60 ($119.30/month). A lot decisions depend on the tiers of the drugs one takes and how many different high tier drugs you take.
I try to look at my total expected costs and make my Part D plan decision including my unexpected future additions to my drug list. Those unexpected / unknowable future drug needs causes me to lean towards the more comprehensive (and higher premium cost) drug plans.
Just my thinking for me.
Bill
I agree with you on incorporating into your plan a potential need to have coverage for drugs that you are currently not taking. That is important.
I did weigh that in my decision. At this point I am in very good health (but you never know what will happen) so I decided to bet on that good health to save $ under the current situation. I also worked under the premise that if things do change, I can change my selected Plan D next year (for 2027), realizing that it would be too late for coverage of unanticipated expense for drugs I might have to end up taking this year.
As I age, or earlier as my health changes, I probably won’t be so aggressive in my choice.
Delete
Mine went up, but only from zero to $3.50 a month. You really need to compare plans, as Magoo says. What is in the formulary makes a big difference. Right now I take very few drugs, so I don’t need a fancy plan.
Not true. My husband’s went down!! Each plan has different drug prices. You really should give it a review on the Medicare.gov website.
There are many factors, but they all have to help pay for the changes. It could be the previous prices were too high. They all get drugs from the same sources, but the have different operating costs and different enrolled populations.
Our Pard D premium has been $0 the last couple years. I was expecting a substantial increase as well. We met with our agent this morning. Our current Wellcare premiums did indeed rise. We will be switching to Humana and will remain at $0 per month, with no significant increases to our co-pays.
Quite unusual. What is your deductible, if any.
The drugs we use are in tier 1 and have no deductible.
I’d imagine you have, but everyone should be reminded to compare Medicare Part D (Rx) plans every year during the renewal period (October 15 to December 7):
https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2026&lang=en
And make sure to include your anticipated medications in the bottom line comparison, as formulary drugs lists can change every year for each company potentially making the cheapest plan one year not the cheapest the next.