Medicare Part B vs. Part D (2024)

Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Policy Disclaimers

Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna Healthcare names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by The Cigna Group Intellectual Property, Inc. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal.

To file a marketing complaint, contact Cigna Healthcare or call 1-800-MEDICARE (), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, TTY . Please include the agent/broker name if possible.

Medicare Supplement Policy Disclaimers

Medicare Supplement website content not approved for use in: Oregon.

AN OUTLINE OF COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. We'll provide an outline of coverage to all persons at the time the application is presented.

Our company and agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance. An insurance agent may contact you.Premium and benefits vary by plan selected. Plan availability varies by state. Medicare Supplement policies are underwritten by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Insurance Company, Cigna National Health Insurance Company or Loyal American Life Insurance Company. Each insurer has sole responsibility for its own products.

The following Medicare Supplement Plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare due to disability: Plan A in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia; Plans A, F, and G in North Carolina; and Plans C and D in New Jersey for individuals aged 50-64. Medicare Supplement policies contain exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact the company.

This website is designed as a marketing aid and is not to be construed as a contract for insurance. It provides a brief description of the important features of the policy. Please refer to the policy for the full terms and conditions of coverage.

In Kentucky, Plans A, F, G, HDG, N are available under Cigna National Health Insurance Company, Plans A, F, G, HDF, N are available under Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, N are available under Loyal American Life Insurance Company.

Kansas Disclosures, Exclusions and Limitations

Medicare Supplement Policy Forms: Plan A: CNHIC-MS-AA-A-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-A-KS; Plan F: CNHIC-MS-AA-F-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-F-KS; Plan G: CNHIC-MS-AA-G-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-G-KS; Plan N: CNHIC-MS-AA-N-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-N-KS

Exclusions and Limitations:

The benefits of this policy will not duplicate any benefits paid by Medicare. The combined benefits of this policy and the benefits paid by Medicare may not exceed one-hundred percent (100%) of the Medicare Eligible Expenses incurred. This policy will not pay benefits for the following:

(1) the Medicare Part B Deductible;

(2) any expense which You are not legally obligated to pay; or services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance;

(3) any services that are not medically necessary as determined by Medicare;

(4) any portion of any expense for which payment is made by Medicare or other government programs (except Medicaid); or for which payment would have been made by Medicare if You were enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare;

(5) any type of expense not a Medicare Eligible Expense except as provided previously in this policy;

(6) any deductible, Coinsurance or Co-payment not covered by Medicare, unless such coverage is listed as a benefit in this policy; or

(7) Preexisting Conditions: We will not pay for any expenses incurred for care or treatment of a Preexisting Condition for the first six (6) months from the effective date of coverage. This exclusion does not apply if You applied for and were issued this policy under guaranteed issue status; if on the date of application for this policy You had at least six (6) months of prior Creditable Coverage; or, if this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy and a six (6) month waiting period has already been satisfied. Evidence of prior coverage or replacement must have been disclosed on the application for this policy. If You had less than six (6) months prior Creditable Coverage, the Preexisting Conditions limitation will be reduced by the aggregate amount of Creditable Coverage. If this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy, credit will be given for any portion of the waiting period that has been satisfied.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna Healthcare website.

Y0036_24_1037312_M | Page last updated 03/28/2024

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Medicare Part B vs. Part D (2024)

FAQs

Is medicare part B better than Part D? ›

Medicare Part B only covers certain medications for some health conditions, while Part D offers a wider range of prescription coverage. Part B drugs are often administered by a health care provider (i.e. vaccines, injections, infusions, nebulizers, etc.), or through medical equipment at home.

Do you really need Medicare Part D? ›

Yes. As of January 1, 2006, you must belong to a Medicare prescription drug plan. Your Medicare prescription drug plan will cover the cost of your prescription drugs.

Does Medicare penalize you if you don't get Part D? ›

Medicare calculates the penalty by multiplying 1% of the "national base beneficiary premium" ($34.70 in 2024) times the number of full, uncovered months you didn't have Part D or creditable coverage. The monthly premium is rounded to the nearest $.10 and added to your monthly Part D premium.

What percentage of people with Medicare have Part D? ›

In 2023, 50.5 million Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Part D plans, including employer-only group plans; of the total, 56% are enrolled in MA-PDs and 44% are enrolled in stand-alone PDPs (Figure 6).

What are disadvantages of Medicare Part D? ›

Disadvantages of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans include: Need to anticipate your prescription drug needs for the year: Part D plans differ in the types of drugs they cover. Knowing your medical situation can help you select a plan that is right for you and covers the prescription drugs you expect to need.

Do I need Medicare Part D if I have A and B? ›

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to enroll in Part D. Medicare drug coverage is only available through private plans. If you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B and you do not have other drug coverage (creditable coverage), you should enroll in a Part D plan.

What is the best prescription plan for seniors? ›

Summary: Compare the Best Medicare Part D Plans for 2024
ProductForbes Health RatingsLearn More
UnitedHealthcare5.0Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Cigna4.8Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Humana4.6Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Aetna4.4Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
1 more row
Mar 26, 2024

Do I need Medicare Part D if I have a supplemental plan? ›

Part D drug coverage is a voluntary benefit; you are not obliged to sign up. You may not need it anyway if you have drug coverage from elsewhere that is “creditable” — meaning Medicare considers it to be the same or better value than Part D.

When did Medicare Part D become mandatory? ›

In 2003, Congress signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act. This law includes a prescription drug benefit called Medicare Part D. This new law makes prescription drug coverage available to all Medicare beneficiaries beginning January 1, 2006.

Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B? ›

You should start your Part B coverage as soon as you stop working or lose your current employer coverage (even if you sign up for COBRA or retiree health coverage from your employer). You have 8 months to enroll in Medicare once you stop working OR your employer coverage ends (whichever happens first).

What will Medicare Part D not cover? ›

When you are enrolled into Medicare Part D, you lose drug coverage through GHPP except for medications that are specifically excluded from coverage by Medicare Part D. These include: agents when used for anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain. agents when used to promote fertility.

What happens if I decline Medicare Part B? ›

Part B (Medical Insurance)

There are some risks to dropping coverage: Your costs for health care: You may have to pay all of the costs for services that Medicare covers, like hospital stays, doctors' services, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Is it worth getting Medicare Part D? ›

Your health can be unpredictable, so while you may not need many, or any prescription drugs now, you may need them in the future. It's better to enroll in Medicare Part D when you enroll in Original Medicare even if you don't currently need prescription drugs.

How much does the average person pay for Medicare Part D? ›

The average cost of a Medicare Part D plan is $59 per month. Prices depend on the Part D plan you select. Rates can be higher if you decide to wait and join a Part D plan after your initial enrollment period ends, which is usually about three months after you turn 65. How does Medicare Part D work?

Is the donut hole going away in 2024? ›

In the donut hole, you pay up to 25% out of pocket for all covered medications. You leave the donut hole once you've spent $8,000 out of pocket for covered drugs in 2024. 2024 is the last year for the donut hole. A $2,000 out-of-pocket cap takes effect for Medicare Part D in 2025.

What is the best prescription coverage for seniors? ›

Summary: Compare the Best Medicare Part D Plans for 2024
ProductForbes Health RatingsLearn More
UnitedHealthcare5.0Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Cigna4.8Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Humana4.6Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
Aetna4.4Get A Quote On Chapter's Website
1 more row
Mar 26, 2024

What are the advantages of Medicare Part B? ›

Medicare Part B covers outpatient care like doctor's office visits, preventive care, scans and tests. Most people pay a premium of $174.70 per month in 2024. It's important to sign up when you become eligible for Medicare to avoid late enrollment penalties.

What is the advantage of having Medicare Part D? ›

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Part D is optional and only provided through private insurance companies approved by the federal government. However, Part D is offered to everyone who qualifies for Medicare. Costs and coverage may vary from plan to plan.

Does part B Medicare pay for prescription drugs? ›

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. covers a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs under certain conditions.

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