How to find a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan is a question we get a lot this time of year.
It’s that time of year again when beneficiaries with stand alone prescription drug plans can make changes to their plan. This annual election period occurs every year between October 15th and December 7th. When you go to Medicare.gov will be able to see what the plans will look like on October 1st but can make any changes at that time.
The smartest way to find the right prescription drug plan is to go right to MyMedicare gov and create an account with a username and password. You’ll need your Medicare card information and a few other pieces of information to create the account. Once you’ve created the account, you’ll then be able to do a “drug plan only” search. Once the search has been completed, you’ll be able to see the plan you are in and what the other plans will look like for next year. If the plan below has a lower annual out of pocket expense, you can simply click enroll and apply. Your new plan will take effect on Jan 1st of the following year.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans work great with a Medicare Supplement Plan G or Medicare Supplement Plan N. Along with Original Medicare these plans will provide coverage for all three areas of Medicare. The three areas of Medicare coverage are hospital, doctor, and prescription medications. Also remember that Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage included with the plan. Medicare rules do not allow duplication of coverage by having a standalone plan along with a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you do apply for a standalone prescription drug plan while on a Medicare Advantage Plan it could result in you losing all of your Medicare Advantage coverage.
By Joe DeAngelis
Medicare Supplement Specialist
“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.”