Do you have to renew Medicare Part D every year?

Medicare Part D plans must be renewed every year during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period. There is no automatic renewal for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries must actively re-enroll in a plan each year if they want to continue to have Part D coverage for the following year.

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Why You Must Renew Medicare Part D Annually

There are a few key reasons why Medicare Part D plans must be actively renewed each year during open enrollment:

Part D plan availability, costs and coverage can change from year to year. Medicare reviews and approves plans annually. Plans can change costs, covered medications, pharmacy networks, and more from one year to the next.
Your health and medication needs may have changed. It’s important to review your prescriptions and healthcare needs annually to ensure your plan still meets your needs for the next year.
You may qualify for Extra Help. Your eligibility for Medicare’s Extra Help program to lower prescription drug costs is reevaluated each year. Even if you did not initially qualify, you may now based on changes to your income and assets.

Requiring active renewal allows beneficiaries to reassess their options and switch plans during open enrollment if their current plan is no longer the best fit.

When Is Medicare Part D Open Enrollment?

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period for Part D and Medicare Advantage plans is from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, you can:

Join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if you previously did not have one

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

Switch from one Part D prescription drug plan to another

Any changes you make during open enrollment will take effect on January 1 of the following year. Outside of open enrollment, you may only be able to make changes under special circumstances like moving out of your plan’s service area.

Steps to Renew Your Medicare Part D Plan

Follow these steps to renew your Medicare Part D plan each open enrollment period:

Review any notices from your current Part D plan about changes for the upcoming year.
Check your prescription drug needs for the next year. Have any of your medications changed? Do you need to add or remove any prescriptions from your plan?
Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare other plan options in your area. Compare costs, covered drugs, pharmacy access, and star ratings.

Decide whether to stay with your current plan or switch to a new one.
If switching, enroll in the new Part D plan. You will automatically be disenrolled from your previous plan.
If staying with your current plan, you do not have to do anything. You will remain enrolled.

It’s important not to wait until the last minute to review your options and renew your plan. September and October tend to be busy times for Medicare call centers, so you may encounter delays if you wait too long. Give yourself enough time to compare plans and enroll by the December 7 deadline.

What Happens If You Don’t Renew Your Medicare Part D Plan?

If you do not renew your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage during open enrollment, here is what will happen:

Your current Medicare Part D plan will end on December 31.

Starting January 1, you will not have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
You may have to pay a Part D late enrollment penalty if you enroll later. This penalty is applied to your monthly premiums.
You can only make changes to your coverage from January 1 to March 31 during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Changes take effect the first of the next month.

Unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period in October to add or change plans.

Losing Part D prescription coverage means you will pay full out-of-pocket costs for medications. For most beneficiaries, it is critically important to renew Part D coverage each year in order to avoid coverage gaps and financial penalties.

Are There Any Exceptions to the Medicare Part D Renewal Requirement?

There are a couple scenarios where Medicare Part D renewal rules are different:

Dual eligibles: Lower-income Medicare beneficiaries who also qualify for Medicaid do not have to actively renew their Part D plans each year. Their coverage is automatically renewed as long as they remain eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Retiree drug subsidy: Some beneficiaries receive Part D coverage through a former employer retiree drug plan. If the plan is approved for the Retiree Drug Subsidy program, they may not have to actively re-enroll each year and can be automatically renewed.

All other Medicare beneficiaries must complete the annual Medicare Part D renewal process themselves in order to maintain prescription drug coverage for the next calendar year.

How Do I Know If My Renewal Is Complete?

Here are some signs that your Medicare Part D renewal is complete:

You receive a confirmation notice from Medicare or your new plan that your enrollment is processed.
Your new plan sends you an ID card and information packet for the upcoming year.

You no longer receive materials from your old Medicare Part D plan.
You see the new premium amount debited from your Social Security check or billed by your plan (if you pay a separate premium).
Your coverage information on MyMedicare.gov shows the new plan.

If you do not receive confirmation of your enrollment, follow up with the plan directly to ensure there are no issues or delays in processing your renewal application.

Key Takeaways

Here are some key points to remember about renewing Medicare Part D coverage each year:

All Medicare Part D plans must be actively renewed during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.

Review plan changes, costs, and your prescription needs before deciding to renew or switch plans.
Use Medicare’s Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov to compare plans.
Not renewing means losing Part D drug coverage on January 1.

Dual eligibles and retirees with qualifying employer plans may be automatically renewed.
Confirm your enrollment to ensure your renewal paperwork is processed.

Actively taking the time to renew your Medicare Part D plan each open enrollment ensures you continue to have affordable prescription drug coverage that meets your healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a new Medicare Part D card each year?

You typically will not get a new Medicare Part D membership card each year when you renew your plan. However, your plan may send you an updated card if there are significant changes to your coverage. You can request a new card from your plan at any time if your current card is lost or damaged.

Can I renew Medicare Part D over the phone?

Many Medicare Part D plans allow you to renew your plan enrollment over the phone. This can be more convenient than renewing by mail. Contact your current plan or the plan you want to switch to and ask about phone enrollment options for renewing Part D coverage.

When will my Medicare Part D renewal take effect?

As long as you enroll by December 7, your Medicare Part D renewal will take effect on January 1. This start date gives you seamless, continuous prescription drug coverage through the new calendar year.

Do Medicare Advantage plans have to be renewed separately from Part D plans?

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage, you only have to renew the Medicare Advantage plan and do not have to renew Part D separately. Renewing your MA plan includes renewing the Part D coverage since it is bundled together.

Can I change Medicare Part D plans mid-year?

Generally you can only change Medicare Part D plans during the annual open enrollment period or if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a specific life event like moving. Mid-year plan changes must have an approved qualifying reason.

Conclusion

Renewing your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is important to maintain affordable access to the medications you need. Medicare beneficiaries must take active steps to re-enroll in Part D each year during open enrollment from October 15 to December 7 for coverage effective January 1. Review your plan options and needs annually before deciding whether to renew or switch plans. Confirm your enrollment is processed properly to avoid any gaps in coverage. Understanding the Part D renewal requirement helps ensure seamless continuity of your Medicare drug coverage.