July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Medicare open enrollment underway (11/17/06)
Letter to the Editor
To the editor:
Not much time remains to prepare for Medicare Part D's 2007 prescription drug coverage. Open enrollment began Wednesday and runs for six weeks until December 31. Anyone wishing to change plans or sign up for the first time must do so during that time.
People already in a plan and satisfied with it don't need to do anything.
During October, plans are sending letters to current enrollees describing any changes to their drug coverage. The network recommends carefully reviewing the letter and re-evaluating the coverage to make sure it meets the beneficiary's prescription drug needs.
When evaluating a plan, the network recommends asking not only if medicines are covered but also if (1) they are brand-name or generic; (2) if brand-name, are they "preferred" drugs or "non-preferred" drugs; (3) require prior authorization; and, (4) have limitations on the quantity allowed per prescription. The network also recommends checking out the plan's monthly premium, whether it has a deductible, a coverage gap, a mail-order option, and if a local pharmacy is in the plan's network.
In 2007, 16 stand-alone prescription drug plans that fill in the benefit's coverage gap will be available in Indiana. Next year, the gap kicks in when a patient's annual total drug costs reach $2,400.
Remember, most Medicare beneficiaries don't spend enough on prescription drugs to reach the gap. However, you will need to know if you will have a gap in coverage so know your annual drug costs when considering a plan.
A monthly drug-cost estimator has been added to www.Medicare.gov to help people compute their annual drug costs. Beneficiaries can also speak with counselors at (800) MEDICARE or Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program at (800) 452-4800.
A third of beneficiaries nationwide qualify for help with the gap from the Low-Income Subsidy, including 74,184 in Indiana. To apply for the subsidy, visit a local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213.
Cheryl St. Clair, director, Indiana Health Insurance Assistance Program[[In-content Ad]]
Not much time remains to prepare for Medicare Part D's 2007 prescription drug coverage. Open enrollment began Wednesday and runs for six weeks until December 31. Anyone wishing to change plans or sign up for the first time must do so during that time.
People already in a plan and satisfied with it don't need to do anything.
During October, plans are sending letters to current enrollees describing any changes to their drug coverage. The network recommends carefully reviewing the letter and re-evaluating the coverage to make sure it meets the beneficiary's prescription drug needs.
When evaluating a plan, the network recommends asking not only if medicines are covered but also if (1) they are brand-name or generic; (2) if brand-name, are they "preferred" drugs or "non-preferred" drugs; (3) require prior authorization; and, (4) have limitations on the quantity allowed per prescription. The network also recommends checking out the plan's monthly premium, whether it has a deductible, a coverage gap, a mail-order option, and if a local pharmacy is in the plan's network.
In 2007, 16 stand-alone prescription drug plans that fill in the benefit's coverage gap will be available in Indiana. Next year, the gap kicks in when a patient's annual total drug costs reach $2,400.
Remember, most Medicare beneficiaries don't spend enough on prescription drugs to reach the gap. However, you will need to know if you will have a gap in coverage so know your annual drug costs when considering a plan.
A monthly drug-cost estimator has been added to www.Medicare.gov to help people compute their annual drug costs. Beneficiaries can also speak with counselors at (800) MEDICARE or Indiana's State Health Insurance Assistance Program at (800) 452-4800.
A third of beneficiaries nationwide qualify for help with the gap from the Low-Income Subsidy, including 74,184 in Indiana. To apply for the subsidy, visit a local Social Security office or call (800) 772-1213.
Cheryl St. Clair, director, Indiana Health Insurance Assistance Program[[In-content Ad]]
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