Just got a call from my drug insurance provider for medicare part D. (Aetna)

[BComplex]

My monthly bill for part D (prescriptions) went up last year from $5.00 to $40.00. That's an increase of 800% for no extra benefits. This was BEFORE the new ("big beautiful" sic) law was passed.

Now, however, it is going from $40.00/mo. to $90.00/mo. No extra benefits. Welcome to the republican rulership.

[SheltieLover]

1. Call your local senior center & Council on Aging

Last edited Wed Oct 15, 2025, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)

They will help you find lowest cost plan for your meds.

[BComplex]

7. I will! Thanks!

It's mind boggling how insurance companies make so friggin much money.

[SheltieLover]

8. Yw! My senior center schedules 3 dates for council on aging folks to take appts.

The staff are exceptional. They ask which meds you take, plug them into computer & show you cheapest options.

Then they set it up for payment, if any, to come directly out of SS monthly payment.

Eliminates the middleman & special interests!

Good luck!

[Ms. Toad]

30. You should do a drug check in addition,

Using Costco or GoodRX prices.

The government site they are using assignment you are buying 100% of your meds using insurance.

When you buy some drugs without insurance, a different plan is often better.

This year was the first year that we haven't bought more than half of our meds through Costco, or using GoodRx.

Just one example - my wife takes Potassium Citrate. That med's price ranged from $128 a year to $1400 a year. With insurance, the cheapest was more than $500, so we bought it v from Costco. The cheapest plan in those years would have been different than the one the senior center would have come up with, because once I took potassium citrate out of the picture, the order was different.

[Trueblue Texan]

50. also check CostPlus drugs. You can save a lot.nt

[popsdenver]

13. People laugh when I say:

They should change The United States of America......to: The United Corporations of America.........

Orwell had it wrong, it is not the government, per se, that we should watch out for, it's the U.S. CORPORATIONS we should fear.

In a nutshell: The simplest definition of FASCISM, is the merger of Corporations with Government...........

WASF

[SupportSanity]

57. Don't forgot the United Evangelicals of America.

My mom became “born again” in 1976.
She got cable just so she could watch the religious shows.
Mega churches with many thousands of people were starting to form and they’d broadcast on cable attracting even more followers.
It was easy to see back then that a giant mass of “those people” could be very powerful and could cause great harm.
And now, here we are years later and it’s the corporations and the evangelicals.
Sigh……..

Side note: If you believe that money is a religion, it all fits together.

[popsdenver]

59. Many of those Evangelical groups

are nothing more than massive corporations, but are even worse, by having a "tax free" status.

But the number and size of the religious/evangelical groups is dwarfed by the incredible number and size of Corporations........

AND, thx to "Citizens United" passing by the USSC in 2010, the corporations could then give huge political donations to Corporations...

[murielm99]

15. We do that every year.

When I first started doing that, it was the best kept secret in town. All I had to do was walk in. Now I need an appointment. They send me paperwork to fill out and return ahead of time. Our appointment is November 3. I like my current pharmacy and plan. I will keep them if there will be no change in the coming year.

[Give Peace A Chance]

22. Or go to GOODRX.

It is free & will save you thousands. $$$$$

[Ms. Toad]

31. Only in a particular price range.

Insurance l is almost always cheaper on the lowest cost drugs (often including them for free), and on the most expensive.

But in the mid-range drugs, either Costco or GoodRx breast the pants of any insurance plan.

I check prices on all three at my annual insurance shipping trip, and once the plan has started, for any new med.

[W_HAMILTON]

2. Trump did that.

And to the fellow Democrats that so often seem to come running to Trump's defense:

...

In a memo released in late July, the Trump administration said it would continue the program for next year, while shaving about 40% of the funding. A government official told The Wall Street Journal that the administration felt that keeping the full funding would have mainly benefited the insurers and cost taxpayers an “enormous, excess amount.”

The stabilization effort next year will send $10 a month per enrollee to Part D insurers to help keep premiums in check, down from $15 this year. Among other changes, it allows insurers to raise premiums by as much as $50 a month, up from the $35 allowed this year.

That would be a substantial increase, Cubanski noted, although it is not clear just how many insurers would pursue the full amount.

“We did see some plans this year were taking premium increases of that $35 amount in 2025, and I fully expect we will see some plans with increases up to $50 a month” next year, she said.

Taken from: https://www.kffhealthnews.org/news/article/medicare-part-d-premiums-rising-reasons

[Silent Type]

26. That explains $5 of increase, how about the rest? These plans do have a 85% medical loss ratio, meaning

they have to make refunds if it's less than 85% percent.

The plan in the OP sounds like a drug plan that is phasing out and limiting enrolless.

[W_HAMILTON]

33. Wrong. Read it again. Trump's actions alone account for $20 of the increase.

$5 direct cut and it allowed insurers to raise premiums by $15 more than they otherwise would have been able to. So $20 of the total increase was directly due to Trump and his Republicans.

The OP was one of those who got hit with the additional $15 premium because their premium went up by the maximum allowed.

PS - Fancy seeing you here!

PPS - TRUMP DID THAT.

[Silent Type]

34. They still have to pay back any premiums paid that do not produce 85% going to drugs/quality. So, no it doesn't

explain more than $5 increase.

It's obvious from replies here that all plans are not increasing 50%, $50, etc.. Some are still at $0.

Until we get a rational healthcare system, this is the kind of chit we are going to have.

[W_HAMILTON]

39. And? They aren't going to pay back the OP. $20 of the $50 premium increase for the OP was directly due to Trump.

TRUMP DID THAT.

[Silent Type]

40. Maybe if the American Rescue Act had made it permanent it wouldn't even be an issue. Why didn't we? Guess we thought

we'd win in 2024 in a landslide and have votes needed to do that.

Were we ever wrong?

[W_HAMILTON]

41. Blaming Democrats for MAGA price hikes to pay for their billionaire tax cuts?

And for those civically challenged among us, the only reason these changes took effect in the first place was because Trump and his Republicans passed and signed into law these funding cuts that superseded what Biden and the Democrats passed and signed into law.

Funding cuts whose savings were promptly used to pay for billionaires tax cuts.

Trump raised grandma's Medicare premiums so he and his billionaire buddies could hoard even more wealth.

TRUMP DID THAT.

[Silent Type]

43. I guess I'm "civically challenged" because the act that created the subsidies was not permanent, and that was a mistake.

And I believe the mistake was thinking the courts would take trump out and we didn't really need to attract new votes. And we didn't, even though Democrats were behind in polls going into Debates we were offering what enough voters weren't buying.

Hope we don't make that mistake in midterms.

[W_HAMILTON]

44. Bless your heart.

There is no "permanent" when it comes to legislation. Anything passed through legislation can subsequently be overturned through future legislation, which is exactly what happened here.

These provisions did not sunset. Trump and his MAGA Republicans specifically cut the funds to help pay for their billionaire tax cut bill.

[Silent Type]

45. Yes, anything can be repealed. So why did we make it easy for them?

[W_HAMILTON]

46. Because we have to deal with so-called allies on the left undermining our every step while they defend MAGA fascism?

[Silent Type]

47. So a significant number of Democrats don't support Democrats. So we are worse off than I thought.

[Scrivener7]

53. Oh, dear. You suggested Democrats could have done something better. You're in trouble now!

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

3. Wow, same thing here, and I'm pissed about it.

Dramatic price hike.

[BigmanPigman]

55. Same here....

$194 is my ACA with subsidies/tax credits noe it will increase to $1,200 per month. That is 1/3 of my monthly income after taxes and CA is very expensive (my family lives here).

I can not afford to live and I'm not alone. I expect to see an increase in suicides, especially with the senior citizens.

[Emile]

4. Wow

[gab13by13]

5. TrumpRx is coming to save the day,

[Diraven]

14. It's going to be quite the scam

Trump will demand special reduced drug prices just for him under threat of using government power to harm pharmaceutical companies' business and impose tariffs on them. Then he'll personally take a cut as he resells them to the American public.

[Raven123]

6. Yep. Saw that elsewhere. If you can, get another plan

[BComplex]

9. I'm definitely going to try to. From $5.00 to $90.00 per month is mind blowing.

I only have one monthly prescription, and it is generic, so it doesn't cost anything with my previous $5.00/mo plan. But I have the plan IN CASE I get sick or something, and need a script or two.

Bernie is right. I mean, if we pay taxes and expect some benefits, the republicans call that "socialism".

[NewHendoLib]

10. There are lots of Part D to choose from. I use Wellcare -

Last year monthly cost zero. This year, 3.60.

Go to the Medicare site and do the comparisons.

[BComplex]

11. Thanks!

I'll check it out!

[infullview]

27. I also use WellCare zero monthly and all my blood pressure meds 0 cost

[Catlady123]

29. Wellcare

I have Wellcare also. Mine was 0 this year, next year 8.60

[FoxNewsSucks]

12. That sounds about right

for the republicon health plan I once heard about:

1 Don't get sick

2 If you do get sick, die quickly

That's what they want for all of us

[NGeorgian]

16. Check out this Medicare website..................Check on part D plans

https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/?year=2026&lang=en

Check on the prices at 5 pharmaceutics. I am paying zero a year..

[Ilsa]

38. I'm in north Georgia, and my

premium just doubled again. Are you not taking any medication?

[alcuno]

42. Same for my 92 year old mom

She was at $16 a month and it went to $60 a month. Went on the website and now it is $0 a year. She takes four medications a day but just bp, cholesterol and thyroid.

[AverageOldGuy]

17. What's the problem?

Barron Trump just made $8 million on insider trading of bit coin, so, what's your problem? You should just trade some bit coins (and be the son of the President).




/s

[Ilsa]

36. Gee, I was hoping he washed out yesterday. ;-) nt

[ms liberty]

18. Make sure you call your Representative and Senator. Tell them you know

It's all the Republicans and Trump.

[NewEnglandAutumn]

19. Share everywhere you can

Even thought this admin sucks I would write Trump. Post on Blue Sky everywhere you can.

[Jacson6]

20. Last year my monthly premuim for part D went from $13 per month to $130 per month

Of course, I changed providers to a lower price, but those low price providers are going away. I can't afford $180 for Medicare B and $130 for Medicare Part D. Well I could if I want to move into a tent in the woods.

[slightlv]

21. You might want to check into Goodrx and SingleCare.

Singlecare has beat out my insurance on several of my prescriptions. Its to the point to where I check the singlecare cost before I even head to the pharmacy.

[IbogaProject]

23. Single payer is the solution

The elite let the politicians do small adjustments while not even considering the worldwide solution cover everyone all the time. And have tge FDA review drugs and their prices by real effects. They dont want all health outcomes in one database open to all research.

[Silent Type]

28. Totally agree. Altough you can bet people will gripe about it. British polls show only 24% are satisfied with NHS.

"Just 24% of people across England, Scotland and Wales – the fewest on record – are satisfied with the health service, according to the latest British Social Attitudes research.

"Satisfaction has plummeted by 29% since before Covid-19 emerged in early 2020 and by an enormous 46% from the highest-ever 70% recorded in 2010, when the Conservatives took power. It fell five points alone from 29% in 2022 to the 24% seen last year.

"The number of people who are dissatisfied with the NHS is also at an all-time high – 52%."

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/27/public-satisfaction-with-the-nhs-at-its-lowest-ever-level-poll-shows

Still think we'd be better off with single payer.

[hunter]

54. NHS is socialized medicine.

Hospital and clinic staff are employees of the government, hospitals and clinics are owned by the government, and drugs are purchased by the government. Yes, that's "single payer" in a certain sense, but that's not how single payer works in Canada and other nations typically described as single payer.

People in England and Wales are dissatisfied with the NHS but they are also afraid of getting something worse. Their dissatisfaction is that they want the government to fix it, not chop it up into pieces to sell to the highest bidders.

The U.S.A. is almost universally recognized for having a wretched health care system, in terms of both cost and in terms of outcomes. We suffer mediocre medicine at outrageous prices.

What wealthy people in the U.S.A. don't know, and what affluent people who think they have good health insurance don't know, is that they too can be the victims of inappropriate, negligent, and downright dangerous health care. The overall quality of health care in the U.S.A. is not exceptional.

[Silent Type]

58. Unfortunately, how many congressfolks have the guts to propose government owning hospitals and many clinics?

Who has guts to tell nurses, docs, etc., they will get paid less? Maybe one or two, but not many more.

We are stuck with providers who are greedy and profit oriented. So we are stuck trying to control a bunch of greedy providers. Let a medical group buy an CT scanner or MRI -- meaning they can profit off the tests rather than a facility -- utilization skyrockets. We are stuck with a crummy system that both parties helped develop.

[Silent Type]

24. Sounds like a plan that is trying to limit subscribers. Want to really get ticked off, Medicare Advantage members avoid

much of drug premium increases by Stand Alone Part D plans.

A lot of the premium increase in 2025 was due to the $2000 cap added. Which was worth every penny IMO as long as we are stuck with our current so-called healthcare system.

In any event, there are cheaper plans available.

[twodogsbarking]

25. Health Insurance in insanity. Our system is fucked beyond belief. Money is god.

[allegorical oracle]

32. Have Aetna part D, too. Mine went up from $48 to $98. Take same one scrip I've

taken for the past 50 years. It's a common med and paid as much as $90 for it while on an advantage plan. Friends have been put on it temporarily and paid $3. The prescription drug business is a crazy fraud.

[Ilsa]

35. You'll probably need to be in a drug plan to avoid

the penalty of joining a drug plan late if you ever want to join Part D in the future. There might be drugs you'll need later that are not covered by any plan except a Part D plan.

My Part D plan went from $20/mo to $50 last year. My 40 cent penalty increased accordingly. I was 6 months late in signing up for Part D.

[Ms. Toad]

37. Shop around.

My premium (assuming I don't change plans) will be $7.60. ($8 the first year, then $0, then $0, then up to $7.60 - so mine, at least, isn't related to the Republican rulership.)

I'm relatively inexpensive - but my spouse (whose drugs are quite expensive) paid around $10 last year. It looks like she'll come back to mine at $7.60, although I haven't run the numbers completely yet.

If you're buying just because that was the plan you had last year, do a price check.
If you're buying based on the general rules of the plan ($X for some drug, % of price on others, etc.), run a price check using your actual drugs.

Even with my spouse's expensive drugs, except for last year, the cheapest plan has still given her the best overall price (premiums plus anticipated drug costs)

[Nictuku]

48. In our area (Napa, CA), Aetna said they no longer provided. Mom called 'Chapter', & they hooked her up

Now (along with MediCAL), she has to pay practically zero, and Chapter found another company in our area for Part D. Mom said they were so helpful, patient, and she is so glad she called.

Chapter: Free Medicare Advice (not associated with any ins. companies)
[phone]

I saw an ad for this on Adam Mockler's youtube channel (I'm pretty sure it was his channel)

I gave the number to my cousin who turns 65 in Dec. My turn is next year and I'll be calling them too.
I hope this helps

(I'm not associated with Chapter, I just think it shouldn't be so very difficult for people to figure all this out. Who can you even trust any more?)

[Joinfortmill]

49. Yikes!

[MayReasonRule]

51. Republican Rulership The Turd Reich

[BComplex]

52. I love it!!

[DownriverDem]

56. A lot of folks disagree

and attack me, but I have a BCBS of Michigan Medicare Advantage PPO Secure Plan. Until we get Medicare for all this is the best plan for me and my husband.

[Silent Type]

60. +1. Rather than complaining about MA and its extra benefits and lower premiums, we ought to be yelling for Medicare

to add these things.

I really can't believe how many Democrats criticize people for making the MA choice. Personally, I still have original Medicare but I will be forced to change at some point and suspect I will save $400 or more a month if I go to MA. Glad to have the opportunity when I change.

Fortunately, I'm not one that is particular about doctors, etc. I don't have to have the latest drugs if older cheaper drugs work well enough. I don't go to doctors for every little problem, etc. I don't mind a plan that tries to stop fraud/abuse up front, rather than allowing it to go on for years like original Medicare does.

This is the kind of stuff that providers get away with under Original Medicare:

"The Justice Department announced the results of its 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers."

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/national-health-care-fraud-takedown-results-324-defendants-charged-connection-over-146

Sometimes, this chit goes on for years before Medicare gets around to doing anything. Private Insurers typically have 1 year to review claims for fraud/abuse, so that act quick to review records. Original Medicare can go back 6 years, and more in some cases. So they are slow to catch criminal providers.