Medicare Open Enrollment for Medicare A and Plan D Drug Rx Plans Ends
Get instant savings up to 75%
Download the Free PrescriptionDrugs.com Discount Drug Card
Print Card
Redeem for instant savings up to 75% on name brand
& generic prescription drugs
Accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies nationwide
Drug Rx News - Medicare open enrollment ends on New Year’s Eve, and while good things are in store for Medicare beneficiaries in 2011, if seniors have not taken the time to re-evaluate their health plans, including the Medicare D drug benefit, problems could soon arise for them in the New Year. Seniors are reminded that new plans will be available and, especially if drugs needs have changed for the coming year, re-evaluating plans may save thousands in out-of-pocket costs.
Tips to Avoid Costly Medicare A and Drug Rx Plan Mistakes
Medicare provides a Plan Finder tool through the official Medicare website. Keep the following in mind and remember that using the available tool during the final hours of 2010 may provide a better plan and fewer out-of-pocket costs.
1. Review Drug Limitations: Even if an enrollee’s drug needs have been covered this past year, it can be costly to assume that the current plan will continue to cover these drugs in 2011. Medicare’s Plan Finder allows enrollees to input individual drug needs and find a plan that will provide the best coverage. Plans may change benefits to outright deny current medications or require “step therapy”, which means the physician must try less expensive options before settling on final medications.
2. Remember the “donut hole”: Medicare beneficiaries fall into the “donut hole” when their program drug costs reach $2,840. Once in the hole, they must pay 100% of prescription drug costs until their expenses reach $4,550. Beginning in 2011, once in the hole, enrollees will experience 50% price discounts for brand drugs and 7% for generic drugs. To help with the donut hole, consider plans that offer gap coverage and encourage mail-order for discounted medications.
3. Don’t Forget the Potential Need for Extended Care: Nursing home care is NOT a covered benefit under Medicare except for 30 days of skilled nursing care after a hospitalization. So, evaluate plans that may offer Extended Care.
4. Use Available Resources to Help Work Through Questions: Enrollees can access the official website for Medicare at Medicare.gov; the Medicare Hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE; state Medicaid offices as well as local Social Security offices and state insurance departments to answer questions about competing plans. While some questions may seem cumbersome and confusing, these experts can help enrollees work through individual issues and appropriately evaluate competing Medicare A and Medicare D drug Rx plans.
