Prescription Drug Plans
As a Medicare beneficiary, you have a few options when it comes to your Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and how to get it.
If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, you can get prescription drug benefits through a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan that works alongside your Medicare Part A and/or Part B coverage. If you have Medicare Part C, you can generally get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan that covers your Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits. Both types of Medicare plans are available through private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare.
When comparing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, there are several factors to keep in mind while searching for a plan that fits your needs. Does the monthly premium provide a good value for your needs?
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans are available through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Because of this, however, the monthly premium amount is likely to vary by plan, insurance company, and location. Just as the monthly premium cost will fluctuate across insurance providers, the same is true of annual deductibles. It's a good idea to shop around in order to be fully aware of your prescription drug coverage options.
When choosing a Medicare plan that includes prescription drug coverage, start by deciding whether to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (which covers medical and hospital benefits, along with prescription drug coverage) or a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan that works with Original Medicare. Always check with the plan to confirm that your specific prescriptions are covered and make sure you understand what the cumulative out-of-pocket costs may be so that you can make an informed decision.
Keep in mind that just as costs can vary by plan, Medicare plans that include prescription drug coverage may also vary when it comes to the specific prescription drugs they cover. An easy way to make sure that your current medications are covered is to check the plan's formulary (list of covered medications) before enrolling in a Medicare plan that includes prescription drug coverage. Keep in mind that formularies are subject to change. Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan will notify you if necessary.
One factor that could affect your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs is whether you're at risk for entering the coverage gap (also known as the "donut hole"). This is a temporary limit on how much your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan will pay for covered prescription drugs. While you're in the coverage gap, you'll pay a higher percentage of the cost for covered generic and brand-name prescription drugs.
Most Medicare plans that include prescription drug coverage have a coverage gap, but not every beneficiary will reach it. Whether you enter the coverage gap will depend on the type of prescription medications you take, how much they cost, your cost-sharing expenses, and how much your Medicare plan pays for covered medications. People who take more expensive medications or have higher copayments and coinsurance costs may be at greater risk for entering the "donut hole."
You'll enter the Medicare coverage gap after you and your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan have spent a certain amount on covered medications; this amount includes your deductible and is known as the Initial Coverage Limit.
Costs that count towards reaching the Initial Coverage Limit include:
The Initial Coverage Limit may change from year to year, so visit Medicare.gov for the most up-to-date amount. Once you and your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan spends this combined amount in prescription drug costs, you enter the Medicare Part D "donut hole."
Once you're in the coverage gap, you assume a higher out-of-pocket responsibility for your prescription costs. The good news is that healthcare reform provides government subsidies and manufacturer discounts to help lower what you pay for covered generic and brand-name medications in the coverage gap.
If you reach the coverage gap, you'll automatically get catastrophic coverage once your out-of-pocket costs for covered medications have reached a certain limit. This amount may change from year to year; for the most up-to-date amount, visit Medicare.gov. Once you have reached this limit, you're in the catastrophic coverage phase, and you'll only pay a small copayment or coinsurance amount for covered medications for the rest of the year.
Do you have any questions about how the coverage gap works? If you'd like help finding Medicare Part D coverage that may lower your out-of-pocket costs, contact HealthPlan Freedom to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We'd be happy to help you find Medicare plan options that cover your prescription drugs and fit your budget.
The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent/producer or insurance company.
HealthPlan Freedom is a licensed insurance agency certified to sell Medicare products.
Prescription Drug Plans insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 16 organizations which offer 48 products. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.