What’s the Most I Can Pay for Prescriptions in a Year Now?

For decades, the honest answer to this question was scary: there was no limit. That changed — and many people rationing their medications still don’t know it.

The cap

Medicare Part D now has a hard yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered prescriptions (the amount adjusts each year). Once you reach it, your covered drugs cost you nothing more for the rest of the year. No donut hole. Done.

The monthly smoothing option

There’s also a lesser-known companion: the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. Instead of paying big bills at the pharmacy counter in the months you fill expensive prescriptions, you can ask your plan to spread your costs into even monthly payments across the year. Same total — predictable months.

Also worth knowing

• Insulin copays are capped monthly on covered plans
• Recommended vaccines (like shingles) are covered in full under Part D