15 Tips to Help You Find a Medicare Part C or D Plan
Date: 1/8/2101
Trying to determine which Medicare drug or health plan best meets your needs can be confusing. These tips can point you in the right direction.
1. Go to the official Medicare website, www.medicare.gov
2. Press the “Compare Drug Plan” button located on that page.
3. When you reach the next page, press the “Find & ComparePlans” button on the left side of the page.
4. You will next be given two options, either a “PersonalizedSearch” or a “General Search.” If you are only doing research you may want to use the General Search feature but then do consider using the Personalized Search feature when you enroll in a plan.
5. On the next page, enter your zip code, answer the next few questions, and then press the “Continue” button. You do not need to enter your age or health status.
6. Look over the information on the Review Current Coverage page to make sure it’s accurate, and then press the “Continue” button.
7. You’ll be directed to the Find and Compare Plans page; read the data on this page and press on the “Enter My Drugs” button.
8. You will need to know all of prescription medications you take, as well as the dosage. Enter your drugs one at a time in the search box. If you are not sure about the spelling of a medication you can use the alphabetical listing of drugs. After listing all your medications press “Continue.”
9. A list of the drugs you entered will appear. Carefully review each one to make sure that the dosage listed next to the medication is the dosage that you are prescribed. If not, simply press on the dosage box and select the correct dose (e.g. many medications can either be 10, 20 or 40 mg per tablet). Check the frequency (e.g. 30 or 60 pills monthly).
10. To avoid having to re-input the information on the medications you take, press on “Save Your Drug List” (or skip to the next section), then press “Continue.”
11. You next will be asked if you want to choose a preferred pharmacy. This is not necessary at this point. You may wait to check for preferred pharmacies until you review the actual plans. You may proceed however you prefer. Press “Continue.”
12. Choose up to three of the plans found by the Medicare Plan Finder to compare and review. If you are searching for Medicare Advantage plans please be sure to understand their coverage limitations on available providers, such as physicians or hospitals, and any other utilization restrictions.
13. When reviewing each plan, be sure to go to the “More Information” drop down box and look at “View Plan Details.” Check to see if the plan has any important utilization restrictions, such as prior authorization, quantity limits or step therapy (in which drug therapy for a medical condition always has to begin with the most cost-effective therapy, such as using generic drugs, and only includes more costly medications if deemed medically necessary). It may be worth spending a few more dollars each month to avoid some of the restrictions; otherwise you may need to have your physician assist you with writing a letter to the plan to overcome any restrictions noted in your plan.
14. When you have all of your questions answered and have found the plan that best fits your current needs, enroll either online or by phone. It is important to complete your enrollment during the annual enrollment period (November 15-December 31). The new prescription benefits plan will be effective on January 1. (Individuals newly qualified for Medicare will be asked to choose a prescription benefit plan when they first become eligible for benefits during their Initial Enrollment Period).
15. If you have any questions try calling the drug plan using their toll-free phone number; call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227; or talk to a Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) counselor. VICAP is a counseling program for individuals to assist them (and their families) in understanding Medicare, Medicaid, medical bills, or in making decisions about Medicare supplement or long term care insurance. There is no cost for this service. Call the Virginia Department for the Aging toll-free at 1-800-552-3402 to find a VICAP program in your area.
Source: Howard Houghton, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program: Fairfax CountyLast Review: Friday, October 16, 2009