Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D)
Adding a Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) to Original Medicare offers an added layer of protection against high prescription and healthcare costs. Interested? Read more to learn.
Prescription Drug Plan
Prescription Drug Plan (also called Medicare Part D) assists you in paying for prescription drugs. Medicare drug coverage is optional and available to all Medicare beneficiaries.
To get Medicare drug coverage, you must enroll in a Medicare-approved drug plan. The cost of each plan and the drugs covered may differ. Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present to join a Medicare drug plan.
What medications are covered by Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D)?
It will vary depending on your plan. However, the following medications are unlikely to be covered by any prescription drug plan:
- Drugs for weight loss or gain
- Any hair-growth medications
- Fertility medications
- Erectile dysfunction medications
- Any over-the-counter medications
Furthermore, if your Medicare Part A or B plan is paying the bill, Part D does not provide coverage.
Most Medicare medication plans have a list of covered drugs, called a formulary. Brand-name and generic medications are covered. The formulary includes at least 2 commonly prescribed medicines. This helps patients with various medical issues acquire prescription medications. Plans must cover at least 2 medications each category, but they can choose which Part D drugs to give.
If a Medicare drug plan follows Medicare guidelines, it may make changes to its drug list during the year. Your plan’s drug list may change throughout the year as drug therapies change, new drugs are released, or new medical information becomes available.
Will I be notified if there are changes coming for my Medicare Part D plan?
You can be confident that all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are required to post any changes to their formulary on their website. When drugs are removed from the Part D formulary, the insurance company must notify you.
All plans are prohibited from changing the drugs they provide or raising their prices between the start of the annual election period and 60 days after coverage begins. The only exception is if the FDA determines a drug is unsafe or if the manufacturer discontinues production.
Any changes must also include the name of the drugs removed, the reason for the change, alternate drugs available, any cost sharing, and exceptions available.
At Simple Choice Insurance Brokerage, our agents are doing their best to be updated of the changes to plans so they can serve you better. Talk to one of our agents NOW.