Spring 2006 Volume 3, Number 1

Your Prescriptions:  More Facts about Medicare Part D

The May 15, 2006, deadline to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan is fast approaching. Here are more facts you should know.

1. Your pharmacy should be able to help you determine the plan in which you have been enrolled.

2. Each Part D plan must have a transition policy for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. The purpose is to cover drugs that may not be covered by the plan when you first enroll in a Part D plan. People with both Medicare and Medicaid should not be turned away from their pharmacy without a medication.

3. Plans generally have choice in drugs they cover, but they are required to include “all or substantially all” of the drugs in categories of: antidepressant, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant, anticancer, immunosuppressant, and HIV/AIDS.

4. Your pharmacy can refuse to fill your prescriptions if you do not pay your co-pays.

5. You will have to pay full price for drugs not covered by your plan.

6. Plans can change drugs they cover if they give 60-days notice to people affected by the change.

7. If you were not charged the correct amount for your prescriptions after you were enrolled in Medicare Part D, contact your plan to find out how to get reimbursed. Your pharmacy may also be able to help.

8. Bring your Medicare (red, white and blue) card and Medicaid (red) card to the pharmacy with you. If you don’t have your Medicare card, bring a Medicare Summary Notice or other proof of Medicare coverage.

9. You may change your Medicare Part D plan once before May 15, 2006. Individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid have a special right to change their Medicare Part D plan once a month if necessary.
   
   For more information:
   1-800-MEDICARE
   http://www.medicare.gov