NEWSROOM

Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage - California

AdobeStock_572805915.jpeg

If you offer prescription drug coverage through a group health plan, Medicare regulations require you to inform CMS and Medicare-eligible employees (sometimes retirees) annually at case install or renewal within 60 days window whether their employer-sponsored coverage is considered "creditable" under Medicare guidelines.

Coverage is considered creditable if it meets or exceeds the value of the standard Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

It’s important to note that pharmacy plans within a high-deductible health plan (HSA-compatible) can be either creditable or non-creditable, depending on whether Medicare is the primary or secondary payer.

This guide highlights Medical plans that are classified as non-creditable. Any plans not listed in this guide are considered creditable.


California Small Group
 

Carrier Response
aetna-logo.png Non-Creditable Plans:
  • CA Bronze HMO $85/125 8550
  • CA Bronze HMO $85/125 8550 wINF
  • CA Bronze MC 100 7200 HSA M
  • CA Bronze MC 100 7200 HSA wINF
  • CA Bronze MC 50/50 8300
  • CA Bronze MC 50/50 8300 wINF
  • CA Bronze MC 60/50 6250
  • CA Bronze MC 60/50 6250 wINF
  • CA Bronze MC Savings Plus 100 7200 HSA M
  • CA Bronze MC Savings Plus 100 7200 HSA wINF
  • CA Bronze MC Savings Plus 50/50 8300
  • CA Bronze MC Savings Plus 50/50 8300 wINF
AFA – View the list of plans that Aetna has determined may not be Medicare Creditable.
anthem-bc-logo-new-cmyk.png Non-Creditable Plans:
  • Anthem Bronze PPO 40/6200/40%
  • Anthem Bronze PPO 70/6600/35%
  • Anthem Bronze Select PPO 40/6200/40%
  • Anthem Bronze Select PPO 70/6600/35%
View Anthem's Creditable Coverage PDF for ACA Plans.

View Anthem's Creditable Coverage PDF for ABF Plans.
blue-shield-ca-logo-(1).png Non-Creditable Plans:
View a list of all Blue Shield Small Business off-exchange plans that contain creditable prescription
drug coverage, except where noted.
  • Bronze Full PPO 4500/65 OffEx
  • Bronze Tandem PPO 4500/65 OffEx
  • Bronze Full PPO 7500/65 OffEx
  • Bronze Tandem PPO 7500/65 OffEx
  • Bronze Access+ HMO 7000/70 OffEx
  • Bronze Local Access+ HMO 7000/70 OffEx
  • Bronze Trio HMO 7000/70 OffEx
  • Silver Access+ HMO 2300/70 OffEx
  • Silver Local Access+ HMO 2300/70 OffEx
  • Silver Trio HMO 2300/70 OffEx
  • Silver Access+ HMO 2750/70 OffEx
  • Silver Local Access+ HMO 2750/70 OffEx
  • Silver Trio HMO 2750/70 OffEx
  • Virtual: Bronze Tandem PPO 7500/75 OffEx
  • Bronze Full PPO 6850/55 OffEx
  • Bronze Tandem PPO 6850/55 OffEx
  • Bronze Full PPO 6250/65 OffEx
  • Bronze Tandem PPO 6250/65 OffEx
  • Blue Shield Bronze 60 PPO 6300/60 + Child Dental
View Blue Shield of California's Creditable and Non-creditable Coverage Page.
calcpa-logo-(1).png Non-Creditable plans:
  • Bronze PPO 50/6250/3
  • Bronze PPO HSA PRx 5000 PPO
  • Bronze PPO HSA PRx 6500 PPO
View CalCPA's Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage flyer.
california-choice-logo.png Non-Creditable plans:
  • Sharp Health Plan: Performance Bronze HMO B
View the CaliforniaChoice Medicare Part D Flyer:
cigna-logo-new-cmyk.png All Cigna plans are fully customizable and cannot provide general statements about what is credible or non-credible coverage.
health-net-horizontal-logo.png All Health Net Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.
kaiser-permanente-logo-(1).png All Kaiser Permanente Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.

View Kaiser's Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage PDF.
mediexcel-logo-new-2025-(1).png All MediExcel Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.

View MediExcel's Disclosure Notice.
sharp-health-plan-logo-(1).png Non-Creditable Plans:
  • CalChoice Bronze HDHP NG 3
simnsa-logo.png All SIMNSA Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.
sutter-health-plan-logo.png Non-Creditable Plans:
  • SD23 HDHP HMO
View Sutter Health Plan's 2026 Small Group creditable coverage plans.
unitedhealthcare-logo-2021-(1).png All United Health Care Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year

View UHC's Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage.
western-health-advantage-logo-new-(1).png All Western Health Advantage Small Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.



California Large Group

 
Carrier Response
blue-shield-ca-logo.png Non-Creditable Plans:
  • Plan H Plus Rx (closed plan)
  • Plan I Plus Rx (closed plan)
  • Golden Coronet Senior Plus Rx (closed plan)
  • Coronet Senior Plus Rx (closed plan)
View Blue Shield of California's Creditable and Non-creditable Coverage Page.
calcpa-logo.png Non-Creditable plans:
  • Bronze PPO 50/6250/3
  • Bronze PPO HSA PRx 5000 PPO
  • Bronze PPO HSA PRx 6500 PPO
Click here to access CalCPA's list of Creditable Plans.
kaiser-permanente-logo.png Kaiser Permanente plans are often customized. Each plan should be tested to determine whether
it is Medicare creditable.

Contact your W&B representative to request verification of prescription coverage and to determine
if it is actuarially equivalent to standard prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D.
mediexcel-logo-new-2025.png All MediExcel Large Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year

View MediExcel's Creditable Coverage Notice.
sharp-health-plan-logo.png All Sharp Health Plan Large Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.
unitedhealthcare-logo-2021.png Creditable Status will depend on several factors:
  • In-network Deductible
  • In-network Out-of-Pocket Maximum
  • In-network Copays and/or Coinsurance
  • Preventive Drug List (Core or Expanded, if applicable)
  • Employer contribution for HRA plans
To determine Creditable/Non-Creditable status refer to UHC's Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage
Lookup Tool or contact Creditable.Coverage@optum.com
western-health-advantage-logo-new.png All Western Health Advantage Large Group plans are considered creditable for the 2026 plan year.

 

Most Recent Articles
Carrier Updates
Carrier Updates
Carrier Updates
Industry News