BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP DECEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 7, 2017 27
Looking for a Medicare Part D
plan? Consider these 3 things
Many people are surprised
to find out that Original
Medicare doesn't cover
prescription drugs. For help with
the cost of your medications, you
can choose a standalone Part D
plan or a Medicare Advantage
plan with prescription coverage,
but navigating your options can
be complicated.
With Medicare Open Enrollment
running through December 7 — the
annual window when you can make
changes to your Medicare coverage
— now is a good time to learn about
how to pick a plan that can best suit
your needs.
Kent Monical, senior vice president
for Part D at UnitedHealthcare
Medicare & Retirement, recommends
you consider these three things when
choosing a plan.
1. Your drugs — Prescription drug
plans can vary significantly. Each
Part D plan has a list of drugs, called
a formulary, which shows the drugs
it covers.
"When considering a Part D plan,
be sure your medications are covered,"
Monical said. "Even if you don't
expect to change plans, it's important
to make sure your drugs will still
be covered next year, as plans can
change from year to year."
2. Your pharmacy — Most Part
D plans have preferred pharmacy
networks. People can typically get
their drugs for a lower copay when
they visit preferred pharmacies.
"Make sure the plan offers access
to pharmacies that are convenient
for you," Monical said. "Some plans
also have mail-order pharmacy benefits,
and you can get prescriptions
delivered to your home for a lower
cost than purchasing from a retail
location."
3. Your total costs — "A low monthly
premium plan doesn't necessarily
mean it will be the lowest-cost plan,"
said Monical. "You should also
understand the other out-of-pocket
costs, including the annual deductible
and drug copays."
Plans sort drugs into several
tiers, with generic or lower-tier
drugs generally costing less than
drugs on higher tiers. Talk to
your doctor about whether a lower
tier drug might be suitable for
you, which could help you save
money.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Medicare Open Enrollment is a
great time to make sure you have the
right prescription drug coverage for
your health and budget needs. Monical
concludes, "Exploring your Part
D options now could help you save
money in 2018."
For more helpful open enrollment
information, visit UHCOpenEnrollment.
com. (BPT)
HEALTH & BEAUTY
MEDICARE /
MEDICAID EDITION