Medicare started offering insurance coverage for prescription drugs through Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans and other health plan options. Medicare's prescription drug coverage will typically pay over half of your drug costs, for a monthly premium. It will also provide peace of mind because it protects you once your out-of-pocket drug spending is more than $7,050. Even if you don't use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should consider joining.
Important points you need to know:
- Medicare prescription drug coverage helps you pay for the prescriptions you need
- Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to all people with Medicare
- There is additional help for those who need it most
- Medicare prescription drug coverage pays for brand name as well as generic drugs
Our Agency can show you the Medicare Part D Plans available in your state. For a complete list of all Medicare plans, go to www.medicare.gov.
Basic Information
What is Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name and generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area.
Medicare prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high drug costs or from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future. Drug plans must
contract with pharmacies in your area for the most cost-effective rates, while some companies offer mail order programs to provide extra convenience. If you need help, let a Medi-Solutions agent explain all your options in determining what
is the most cost-effective and convenient way to have your prescriptions filled.
Who can get Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income and resources, health status, or current prescription expenses.
When can I get Medicare prescription drug coverage?
You may sign up when you first become eligible for Medicare (three months before the month you turn age 65 until three months after you turn age 65).
If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join from three months before to three months after your 25th month of cash disability payments. If you don't sign up when you are first eligible, you may pay a penalty.
If you didn't join when you were first eligible, your next opportunity to enroll will be from October 15 to December 7.
How does Medicare prescription drug coverage work?
Your decision about Medicare prescription drug coverage depends on the kind of health care coverage you have now. There are two ways to get Medicare prescription drug coverage.
You can join a Medicare prescription drug plan, or you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan that offers drug coverage.
Whatever plan you choose; Medicare drug coverage will help you by covering brand-name and generic drugs at pharmacies that are convenient for you.
Like other insurance, if you join, generally you will pay a monthly premium, which varies by plan, and a yearly deductible. You will also pay a part of the cost of your prescription, including a copayment or coinsurance.
Costs will vary depending on which drug plan you choose. Some plans may offer more coverage and additional drugs for a higher monthly premium.
Why should I get Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Medicare prescription drug coverage provides greater peace of mind by protecting you from unexpected drug expenses. Even if you don't use a lot of prescription drugs now, you should still consider joining.
As we age, most people need prescription drugs to stay healthy. For most people, joining now means protection from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future.
What if I have a limited income and resources?
There is extra help for people with limited income and resources. Almost 1 in 3 people with Medicare will qualify for extra help. If you qualify for extra help,
Medicare will pay for almost all of your prescription drug costs. You can apply or get more information about the extra help by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting
www.socialsecurity.gov.
A Medi-Solutions agent can also provide information on statewide assistance plans.
Things to Consider
Premium
There is a monthly cost you pay to join a Medicare drug plan. Premiums vary by plan.
Deductible
This is the amount you pay for your prescriptions before your plan starts to share in the costs. Deductibles vary by plans. Some plans may not have any deductible.
Copayment/Coinsurance
This is the amount you pay for your prescriptions after you have paid the deductible. In some plans, you pay the same copayment (a set amount) or coinsurance (a percentage of the cost) for any prescription.
In other plans, there might be different levels or "tiers," with different costs. (For example, you might have to pay less for generic drugs than brand names. Or, some brand names might have a lower copayment
than other brand names.) Also, in some plans your share of the cost can increase when your prescription drug costs reach a certain limit.
Formulary
A list of drugs that a Medicare drug plan covers is called a formulary. Formularies include generic drugs and brand-name drugs. Most prescription drugs used by people with Medicare will be on a plan's formulary.
The formulary must include at least two drugs in categories and classes of most commonly prescribed drugs to people with Medicare. This makes sure that people with different medical conditions can get the treatment they need.
Prior Authorization
Some drugs are more expensive than others even though some less expensive drugs work just as well. Other drugs may have more side effects or have restrictions on how long they can be taken. To be sure certain drugs are used
correctly and only when truly necessary, plans may require a "prior authorization." This means before the plan will cover these prescriptions, your doctor must first contact the plan and show there is a medically necessary reason
why you must use that particular drug for it to be covered. Plans might have other rules like this to ensure that your drug use is effective.
Coverage Gap
If your total drug costs reach $4430 in 2022*, you enter the Coverage Gap (also called the "Doughnut Hole"). While in the Coverage Gap, you will pay 25% of the cost of generic and brand name drugs until the
end of the calendar year, or until your out-of-pocket costs reach $7050*.
Catastrophic Coverage
If your total out-of-pocket costs reach $7050 in 2022*, you enter Part D Catastrophic Coverage. At this point, you pay $3.95 for generic drugs and $9.85 for brand name drugs OR 5%, whichever is greater (2022). This coverage lasts until the end of the calendar year.
*All data collected through www.medicare.gov
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