According to the recently released Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Part D landscape data, most Medicare beneficiaries will have slightly fewer stand-alone 2016 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan choices.

As was true last year, on average, there will be fewer 2016 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) choices.   In 2016, the average number of stand-alone Medicare Part D plans offered in each state dropped to an average of 26 stand-alone PDPs from an average of 29 stand-alone Part D plans available in 2015.

In comparison to past years, there were an average of 34 stand-alone 2014 Medicare Part D plans (not including Medicare Advantage plans), 31 stand-alone 2013 Medicare Part D plans, and, back in 2009 - an average of 49 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans offered in each CMS PDP region (see chart below).


The Highs
Pennsylvania and West Virginia will have the largest selection of 2016 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans (again offering Medicare beneficiaries 29 PDPs).

The Lows
As was true in 2015,  Alaska Medicare beneficiaries will again have the smallest selection of 2016 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans (19 PDPs - down from 24 PDPs in 2015).

Largest Changes
Alaska, Illinois, and Florida will see the largest decrease of stand-alone Medicare Part D plans in 2016 with each state losing 5 PDP choices.   In 2015, Illinois was the state having the largest selection of stand-alone Medicare Part D plans (33 PDP plans).

A detailed overview of the 2016 Medicare Part D landscape data can be found in the Q1Medicare.com PDP-Facts section with Part D plan summaries on a national and state level.

Please note that we will continue to update the Medicare Part D plan coverage details throughout the year as more information becomes available.

Reminder: No need to rush.
Medicare Part D plan carriers can start marketing their plans on October 1^st and the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2016 Medicare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans begins on Thursday, October 15^th and continues through Monday, December 7^th, with 2016 Medicare plan coverage beginning on Friday, January 1, 2016.

For more information, starting October 1^st, Medicare beneficiaries can telephone Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, speak with a Medicare representative, and learn more about their 2016 Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plan options.

Please note: The 2016 Medicare Advantage plan landscape summary will be presented separately in another article. The above information is from our Medicare Part D plan landscape summaries and based only on stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (or PDPs).

A number of the 2016 Medicare Advantage plans may be available in your area and may include comprehensive prescription drug coverage, along with Medicare Part A (hospitalization), Medicare Part B (out-patient and physician), and additional healthcare benefits (these Medicare plans are also called MAPD plans).

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