Open Enrollment for Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) is now open until Dec. 31, 2008. Beneficiaries, their caregivers and family members can use the resources below to compare plan choices and find the plan that best meets their prescription drug needs.
There are significant changes to some of the national prescription drug plans this year. Several plans are not including Razadyne on their formulary (list of covered drugs.) Some plans are only covering certain dosages of a drug, so make sure the drug and current dosage is on the formulary list. In addition, at least one plan sponsor, Cigna, is requiring "step therapy" before paying for Exelon and Razadyne.
Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan Finder: http://www.medicare.gov/.
2009 prescription drug plan chart
Chart providing information about which of the national plans require prior approval or have quantity limits for Alzheimer drugs.
Open enrollment questions and answers (7 pages)Information to help beneficiaries decide to switch Medicare prescription drug plans or stick with the one they've got.
Open enrollment questions and answers for people with both Medicare and Medicaid (7 pages) Information to help dual eligible beneficiaries decide to switch Medicare prescription drug plans or stick with the one they've got.
Timeline for Medicare prescription drug mailings for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid (3 pages)For dual eligibles: Outlines mailings you may receive from CMS (Medicare), Social Security and Medicare prescription drug plans about Medicare prescription drug coverage and what action you may need to take.
Timeline for Medicare prescription drug mailings for people who applied for and receive extra help (3 pages)For beneficiaries who applied for or receive extra help: Outlines mailings you may receive from CMS (Medicare), Social Security and Medicare prescription drug plans about Medicare prescription drug coverage and what action you may need to take.
Re-assignment for Medicare-Medicaid and “extra help” enrollees
CMS sent a blue letter to most of these beneficiaries (1.6 million) to inform them that CMS will automatically reassign them to another plan unless the individuals select new plans. Some individuals (620,000) will receive a tan letter. These individuals are called “choosers” because they selected and joined their current 2008 drug plan on their own. This group will have to choose a plan with a lower premium on their own or they will pay a portion of their monthly premium in 2009.
CMS re-assignment information (4 pages)Basic facts about the drug coverage
-
Qualifying for extra help and joining a Medicare drug plan (6 pages)
This tip sheet from Medicare provides information on qualifying for extra help and includes income, resource, cost and enrollment information. It also includes Special Enrollment Period information for people with Medicare who are losing their Low Income Subsidy benefit. -
Important things to consider when choosing a Medicare drug plan for people with Alzheimer’s disease (3 pages)
With so many drug plans to choose from, this sheet outlines important questions to consider, such as are Alzheimer drugs on a plan's formulary and does a plan’s policies limit coverage of Alzheimer drugs. -
Troubleshooting problems with the Medicare drug benefit (2 pages)
Fact sheet that answers beneficiaries questions about their transition to new Medicare drug plans, such as how you can get your first prescription if it is not on your plan’s formulary. -
Medicare Web Site
The official U.S. government Web site for people with Medicare. Online tools help you find and compare drug plans and enroll in a plan. -
Veterans' Administration Benefits (3 pages)
Department of Health and Human Services' fact sheet explaining how the new Medicare coverage coordinates with Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits. -
Information for healthcare providers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services site has resources for healthcare providers to educate their Medicare patients about the drug benefit.
Get extra help paying for prescription drugs
People with Medicare who have limited income and resources may qualify for extra help paying for prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are working together to provide this extra assistance.
-
People with both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligibles”) will automatically qualify for extra help.
-
Other individuals may apply for extra help from the SSA.
Apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov,
or call the SSA at 1.800.772.1213 for a paper application or to make an appointment.
Get help enrolling in a plan
Get free one-on-one help with Medicare drug coverage and enrollment questions at State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs). SHIPs are staffed with counselors to help people with Medicare understand the new drug coverage.
Find your SHIP counselor at www.medicare.gov
Contact the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) where Asian and Pacific Island elders can call to obtain bilingual enrollment assistance and translated information.
NAPCA Web site at http://www.napca.org/
NAPCA national multilingual toll-free helpline numbers:
English: 1.800.582.4218
Chinese: 1.800.582.4218
Korean: 1.800.582.4259
Vietnamese: 1.800.582.4336
Call the The National Alliance for Hispanic Health's bilingual hotline for assistance with Medicare drug coverage enrollment. Individuals can receive help applying for low income subsidies and finding a plan to meet their needs. Call 1.866.783.2645 (Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
More information
-
This site is an information and education source for people who can enroll in the Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Rx Education Network www.medicarerxeducation.org -
Access fact sheets and interactive tools to help answer your questions about Medicare drug coverage.
Medicare Access for Patients-Rx (MAPRx) www.maprx.info -
Learn about food stamps, federal rent subsidies and the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Access to Benefits Coalition -
Learn about and enroll in government benefits, including the new Medicare prescription drug coverage as well as other healthcare and prescription drug assistance programs.
BenefitsCheckUpRx www.benefitscheckup.org -
Find resources for reducing the costs of prescription drugs, including Medicare prescription drug coverage, the Medicare-approved drug discount card program, patient assistance programs and more.
Access to Benefits Coalition www.accesstobenefits.org
