How Do Part D Stages Work?
Stage 1 – Deductible
If your plan has a deductible, this stage begins when you fill your first prescription of brand-name or specialty drugs. The deductible does not apply to generic drugs.
- This stage beings when you fill your first Tier 3, 4, or 5 (brand name and specialty drugs) prescription. The deductible does not apply to Tier 1 and 2 generic drugs.
- In Stage 1, you will pay the full cost of your brand name and specialty drugs up to the deductible amount.
Once you have reached your annual deductible, you will enter Stage 2.
Stage 2 – Initial Coverage
- In Stage 2, you pay your copay and we pay the rest.
- You stay in Stage 2 until the amount of your year-to-date total drug costs reaches $5,030. Total drug costs include your copay and what we pay.
Once you and your plan’s costs reach $5,030, you move to Stage 3—the Coverage Gap.
Stage 3 – Coverage Gap
Once Stage 2 is complete, all plans move to Stage 3.
- In Stage 3, you generally pay no more than 25% of the cost of generic and brand name drugs.
- You stay in Stage 3 until the amount of your year-to-date “out-of-pocket drug costs” (costs paid by you or a subsidy program) reaches $8,000.
Once your out-of-pocket costs reach $8,000, you move to Stage 4—Catastrophic Coverage.
Stage 4 – Catastrophic Coverage
Once Stage 3 is complete, all plans move to Stage 4.
- In Stage 4, the plan pays the full cost for your covered Part D drugs. You pay nothing.
You remain in this stage for the rest of the plan year.